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A  HANDBOOK 

OF  THE 

United  Brethren 
In  Christ 


PKEPARED  BY 


E.  L.  SHUEY,  A.M 


REVISED  AND   ENLARGED 


DAYTON,  OHIO 
UiaTED  Brethren  Publishing  House 


Copyright,  1885,  1889,  1893,  and  1897, 
By  W.  J.  Shuey,  Publisher. 


PREFACE. 


An  intelligent  understanding  of  the  character  of  the 
religious  denomination  to  which  he  belongs  is  impor- 
tant to  every  Christian.  In  a  Church  like  our  own,  in 
which  the  members  so  fully  direct  the  policy  and 
methods,  all,  even  the  youngest,  should  be  instructed 
in  its  history  and  work,  its  principles  and  government. 
A  full  knowledge  of  our  Church's  history  — its  strug- 
gles, growth,  and  successes,  its  principles  and  methods 
of  work— cannot  fail  to  enlist  the  enthusiasm  of  its 
members,  and  to  make  them  more  devoted  to  its  in- 
terests. 

To  the  young  people  of  the  Church  who  desire  a 
knowledge  of  its  life,  to  those  who  have  not  access  to 
more  extended  books,  to  others  who  desire  in  a  brief 
space  an  outline  of  the  work  and  history  of  the  denom- 
ination, this  little  Handbook  is  offered,  with  the  hope 
that,  in  part,  at  least,  it  will  meet  their  wants.  It  is 
believed  that  such  a  compendium,  brief  enough  to  be 
read  in  a  short  time,  yet  full  enough  to  give  the  essen- 
tial facts,  will  be  of  daily  service. 

It  is  difficult  in  such  small  space  to  present  more 
than  a  slight  outline.  No  attempt,  therefore,  has  been 
made  at  extended  research,  the  incidents  of  the  history 
and  the  statements  of  work  and  doctrine  being  col- 
lected from  larger  books  on  these  subjects. 

From  these  causes  and  for  these  purposes,  this  Hand- 
book has  been  prepared,  and  is  presented  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Church. 

iii 


PREFACE  TO  REVISED  EDITION. 


The  reception  accorded  the  Handbook  of  the  Ukited 
Brethren  in  Christ  since  its  first  issue,  has  been  be- 
yond the  highest  anticipations  of  its  projector. 

The  important  changes  in  Church  life  and  govern- 
ment, made  as  each  year  passes,  render  a  revision 
necessary  from  time  to  time.  Every  eflbrt  has  been 
made  to  have  the  book  what  is  most  desired,— a  brief 
statement  of  all  things  essential  to  an  understanding 
of  our  Church  life  and  history,  and  a  concise  com- 
pendium of  its  work  and  workers.  It  is  hoped  that 
all  — pastors  and  people— will  find  it  adapted  to  this 
object. 

Dayton,  Ohio,  May  SI,  1S97. 
iv 


CONTENTS. 


PiCE 

History  and  Doctrijte 7 

Origin 7 

Growtii 9 

Confession  of  Faith 15 

Polity 19 

Position  on  Moral  Life 21 

Government 24 

Constitution 24 

Outline  of  the  Church  Government 29 

Membership 29 

Mini.stry ;30 

Officers 32 

Conferences 35 

Departments  of  Church-Work 38 

Sunday-Schools 38 

Missions 40 

The  General  Board 41" 

Woman's  Missionary  Work 48 

Church-Erection  52 

Publishing  House 52 

Educational  Work 56 

Historical  Society 61 

Young  People's  Christian  Union 61 

Conclusion 65 

Historical  and  Statistical  Tables 67 

V 


HISTORY  AND  DOCTRINE. 


ORIGIN. 

"United  Brethren  in  Christ,"  is  the  title 
of  tlie  Church  which,  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
last  century,  grew  out  of  the  religious  awaken- 
ing of  William  Otterbein  and  a  number  of  his 
friends. 

Philip  William  Otterbein,  the  leader  of  this 
movement,  was  a  distinguished  divine  and  mis- 
sionary of  the  German  Reformed  Church,  who 
was  sent  by  the  Synods  of  Holland,  in  1752, 
from  Dillenburg,  Germany,  to  America.  He 
was  chosen  for  the  mission  because  of  his  zeal 
and  earnestness,  and  his  deep  devotion.  As  a 
young  man  he  preached  with  great  power  and 
learning.  It  was  not,  how^ever,  till  after  his 
settlement  at  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  his  first 
charge  in  America,  that  Otterbein,  after  much 
prax-er,  realized  that  God  had  poured  upon  him 
the  spirit  of  grace  and  power.  He  now  began 
to  preach  against  the  lifeless  formality  of  the 
church,  which  had  been  thought  sufficient  by 
both  ministry  and  people,  and  in  the  midst  of 
which  he  had  so  long  lived  and  worked.  He 
therefore  urged  the  necessity  of  a  new  birth  and 
of  experimental  godliness. 
7 


8  HISTORY   AND   DOCTRINE. 

While  Mr.  Otterbein  was  thus  preaching,  and 
establishing  prayer-meetings,  in  which  the  la}^- 
men  might  have  better  opportunities  for  labor, 
Rev.  Martin  Boehm,  a  zealous  ]\Iennonite,  hav- 
ing himself  experienced  a  similar  change  of 
heart,  was  engaged  in  a  different  field  in  the 
same  work.  At  a  "great  meeting,"  held  about 
T766,*  in  Isaac  Long's  barn,  in  Lancaster 
County,  Pennsylvania,  both  these  ministers, 
with  man}"  others,  were  present.  At  the  close 
of  a  ver}'  earnest  sermon  by  ]\Ir.  Boehm,  j\Ir. 
Otterbein  arose  and  embraced  the  preacher, 
crj'ing,  ' '  We  are  brethren ! ' '  These  words  sug- 
gested, a  number  of  years  later,  the  name  for 
the  new  denomination  which  finallj^  sprang 
from  this  meeting. 

From  this  time  these  brethren,  with  other 
ministers,  all  Germans,  traveled  extensiveh'  in 
Penns3^1vania,  Virginia,  and  ^Iar3iand,  preach- 
ing to  all  that  a  vital  union  with  Christ,  in 
heart  and  life,  is  essential  to  religious  growth. 
Otterbein  himself  was,  in  1774,  settled  over  a 
congregation  at  Baltimore,  Mar^'land,  which 
had  withdrawn  from  the  communion  of  the 
German  Reformed  Church.  Here  he  remained 
until  his  death  in  1813,  direcfting  and  superin- 
tending the  work  begun  in  his  young  man- 
hood. 

It  was  not  intended,  at  first,  by  these  fellow- 

*See  Life  of  Otterbein,  by  Prof.  A.  W.  Drurj',  D,  D..  pages 
117-122. 


HISTORY   AND    DOCTRINE.  9 

workers  to  organize  a  new  Church,  but  simply 
to  awaken  the  people  to  the  importance  of  con- 
version, or  the  new  birth.  While  working  with 
this  purpose,  several  j^ears  passed.  Later  it 
was  decided  to  call  a  conference  of  the  minis- 
ters devoted  to  the  work  to  consider  the  best 
means  of  uniting  and  establishing  the  believers 
in  the  new  life.  This  gathering  was  held  in 
17S9,  at  Baltimore,  when  it  was  decided  to 
continue  the  conferences  as  might  seem  best. 
Finally,  in  1800,  the  societies  interested  in  the 
movement  united  and  formed  the  ' '  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,"  with  Mr.  Otterbein  and 
j\Ir.  Boehni  as  bishops. 

GROWTH. 

From  1800  to  1S15,  the  Church  grew  slowly 
but  steadih'  in  the  states  already  mentioned, 
its  work  being  solely  among  the  Germans.  As 
many  of  its  members  emigrated  to  Ohio  and 
the  West,  they  carried  forward  the  w^ork,  and 
in  1810  a  new  conference  was  formed  west  of 
the  Alleghanies,  known  as  the  Miami.  From 
this  were  formed,  in  1S18  and  the  years  fol- 
lowing, the  Muskingum,  Scioto,  Indiana,  and 
other  conferences. 

Among  the  men  prominent  in  the  move- 
ments of  this  and  the  succeeding  period,  be- 
sides Bishops  Otterbein  and  Boehm,  were 
Christian  Newcomer,  George  Geeting,  Andrew 
Zeller,  Henry  Spayth,  and  Henry  Kumler,  sr. 


10  HISTORY   AND   DOCTRINE;. 

The  zeal  and  devotion  of  these  and  other  earn- 
est men  were  abundantl}-  rewarded. 

The  first  General  Conference  met,  June  6th, 
1815,  near  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pennsjdvania,  in  a 
small  log  school-house.  Fourteen  ministers 
were  present,  from  four  states.  After  much 
pra3-er  and  deliberation,  the  Confession  of  Faith 
was  adopted,  together  with  a  book  of  discipline, 
containing  rules  and  directions  for  the  govern- 
ment of  the  Church. 

About  the  same  time  a  new  period  of  growth 
began.  The  Church,  hitherto  composed  exclu- 
sivel}'  of  Germans,  began  to  find  earnest  sup- 
porters among  the  English  settlers  west  of  the 
AUeghanies,  and  these  conferences  gradually 
became  English.  The  growth  was  now  more 
rapid,  for  the  field  was  wider.  ^Ministers  and 
people  were  zealous  in  spreading  their  beliet 
farther  and  farther.  As  they  emigrated  north 
and  west,  new  churches  and  new  conferences 
were  formed,  and  the  succeeding  decades  showed 
marked  growth.  The  Church,  which  in  1820 
had  about  one  hundred  and  fourteen  preachers, 
with  thirt3'-six  itinerants,  and  perhaps  ten 
thousand  members,  included  in  1845  ^^'^  hun- 
dred and  eighty-one  preachers  and  about  thirty- 
six  thousand  members. 

In  the  earlier  3ears  John  Russel,  Joseph 
Hoffman,  John  ]\IcNamar,  and  others,  and  in 
the  later  years  Wm.  Davis,  J.  Grifiith,  W.  R. 
Rhinehart,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  D.  Edwards,  and 


HISTORY   AKD   DOCTRINE  11 

many  others  contributed  to  the  establishment 
of  the  work  of  the  Church  and  of  its  principles. 
This  was  the  period  in  which  the  position  of 
the  Church  was  taken  on  many  of  the  great 
moral  questions  which  distinguish  it;  and  the 
men  of  the  time  were  worthy  of  the  work. 

The  efforts  of  the  Church  during  these  j-ears 
were  largely  expended  in  the  countr}-  districts, 
the  ministers  for  some  reason  avoiding  the 
towns  and  cities.  Each  itinerant  had  many 
appointments,  traveling  from  one  to  another, 
preaching  at  private  houses,  in  barns,  school- 
houses,  or  wherever  opportunit}'  offered.  His 
salary  was  small,  often  but  a  few  dollars,  but 
he  was  always  honored,  and  the  people  everjN 
where  received  him  with  kindness  and  hospi- 
tality. 

The  increasing  growth  of  the  Church  led  to 
the  adoption,  bj'  the  General  Conference  of 
1841,  of  the  Constitution,  which  from  that  time 
till  1889  was  the  basis  of  the  legislation  of  the 
various  general  conferences.  This  same  growth 
had  led  to  the  establishment,  in  1834,  of  the 
Religious  Telescope,  and  the  beginning  of  the 
Publishing  House  of  the  Church.  It  was  but  a 
little  later,  in  1845,  that  the  first  steps  in  our 
educational  history  were  taken,  and  the  first 
college  was  opened  in  1847.  But  progress  was 
not  \'et  stopped.  Feeling  that  the  Church  is  to 
carry  the  gospel  to  all  the  earth,  the  ]Mission- 
ary  Societ}-  was  organized  in  1853,  and  the  first 


12  HISTORY  AND   DOCTRINE. 

missionaries  were  appointed  a  j^ear  later.  In 
1875  the  women  of  the  Church  began  their  ac- 
tive, aggressive  w^ork  in  the  Woman's  Mission- 
ar}'  Association.  From  the  early  catechetical 
schools  had  come  the  Sunda5^-schools,  first  or- 
ganized about  1820.  To  supply  their  wants 
were  begun  the  Childre7i' s  Friend  and  Mission- 
ary (now  Children'' s^  Visitor^  and  later  the 
various  Bible  lesson-helps,  now  so  important 
a  part  of  our  work.  In  this  series  are  in- 
cluded Our  Bible  Teacher,  Our  Bible-Lesson 
Quarterly,  Our  Intermediate  Bible-Lesson  Quar- 
terly, Lesso7is  for  the  Little  Ones,  Bible-Lesson 
Pictures,  and  Our  Little  Pictures  for  Our  Bible- 
Lessons. 

In  1889  the  Quarterly  Review  of  the  U7iited 
Brethren  in  Christ  was  established  b}-  order 
of  the  General  Conference.  It  is  a  magazine 
of  high  grade  and  with  most  excellent  edi- 
torial department.  During  its  first  term  it 
was  edited  by  Rev.  J.  W.  Etter,  D.D.  Since 
January,  1894,  it  has  been  published  as  a 
private  enterprise  by  a  number  of  interested 
ministers  who  have  given  their  services  to 
its  management. 

One  of  the  most  striking  movements  of  re- 
cent years  has  been  the  development  of  the 
work  among  the  young  people  of  the  Church. 
This  took  the  form  of  the  organization  of 
societies  for  Christian  work  in  the  various  con- 
gregations.    In  June,   1890,  a  convention  was 


HISTORY  AND   DOCTRINE.  13 

called  at  Dayton  for  the  organization  of  a 
denominational  j-oung  people's  society.  Care- 
ful consideration  resulted  in  the  formation  of 
the  Young"  People's  Christian  Union.  This 
union  is  composed  of  the  various  young 
people's  Christian  societies  of  the  denomina- 
tion, each  congregation  being  left  to  decide  for 
itself  what  shall  be  the  form  of  the  local  organ- 
ization. This  fraternal  plan  has  resulted  in 
very  great  stimulus  to  the  work  among  the 
young  people  of  the  denomination,  and  the 
excellence  of  its  organization  has  been  shown 
by  the  adoption  of  its  methods  in  other  denom- 
inations than  our  own.  The  growth  has 
been  very  marked  in  numbers,  in  perfection 
of  plans,  and  in  scope  of  work  accom- 
plished. 

In  response  to  the  evident  desire  of  a  large 
part  of  the  Church  for  some  improvements  in 
its  government,  the  General  Conference  of  1885 
appointed  a  Commission  of  twenty-seven  min- 
isters and  la^-men  "to  consider  our  present 
Confession  of  Faith  and  Constitution,  and  pre- 
pare such  a  form  of  belief  and  such  amended 
fundamental  rules  for  the  government  of  this 
Church  in  the  future  as  will,  in  Iheir  judgment, 
be  best  adapted  to  secure  its  growth  and  effi- 
ciency in  the  work  of  evangelizing  the  world." 
Certain  limitations  were  at  the  same  time 
placed  upon  the  Commission,  It  was  also  to 
present  its  report  to  the  Church  for  approval  or 


14  HISTORY  AND   DOCTRINE. 

rejection  by  the  members.  This  Commission 
met  in  1885,  made  a  series  of  changes,  and 
determined  upon  a  plan  for  submitting  them 
to  the  Church.  For  nearly  three  years  the 
subject  was  debated,  and  in  November,  1888, 
by  a  vote  of  the  requisite  number  of  the  mem- 
bers, the  forms  submitted  were  adopted.  By 
the  ratification  of  the  General  Conference  of 
1889,  these  became  the  expression  of  faith  and 
the  law  of  the  Church  on  Ma}^  13th  of  that 
year. 

This  action  of  the  Church  was  followed 
in  the  summer  of  1889  by  an  effort  on  the 
part  of  fifteen  members  of  the  General  Con- 
ference, who  withdrew  from  its  session  on 
the  adoption  of  the  revised  Confession  of 
Faith  and  Constitution,  and  their  adherents, 
to  gain  possession  of  the  Church  propertj^  in 
various  parts  of  the  country.  This  led  to  a 
series  of  actions  in  the  civil  courts  and  a 
thorough  examination  by  them  of  the  entire 
question  of  change.  After  manj^  trials,  the 
decisions  are  with  the  majority,  and  though 
not  in  all  cases  finally  settled,  the  Church 
alread}^  has  recovered  its  losses,  and  is  moving 
more  speedily  than  ever. 

During  the  later  j-ears  the  Church  has  been 
occupied  in  the  development  of  the  various  de- 
partments of  its  work.  Many  of  the  men  w^ho 
have  been  influential  in  these  movements  are 
still   living,    earnest  in    their  endeavors,    and 


HISTORY   AND    DOCTRINE.  15 

honored  by  their  fellow  men.  The  growth  con- 
tinues, the  efforts  to  hold  the  early  zeal  and 
devotion  are  unbroken,  and  the  mission  of  the 
Church  —  to  maintain  decided  positions  on  all 
questions  of  Christian  life  —  is  daily  fulfilled 
in  the  work  of  its  people. 

In  1888  there  were  1,490  itinerants,  with  204,- 
500  members,  contributing  about  one  million 
of  dollars  for  church-work. 

The  losses  occasioned  by  the  secession  of 
1889  were  soon  overcome,  and  the  reports 
for  1896  show  4,250  organized  churches,  with 
1,718  itinerants,  and  a  membership  of  238,- 
782,  contributing  over  a  million  of  dollars 
for  the  various  departments  of  the  Church, 
which  have  been  materiall}^  enlarged  in  many 
directions. 

CONFESSION    OF   FAITH. 

Adoptkd  by  Vote,  1888.  —  Ratified  by  the  General  Confer- 
ence, 1889. 

In  the  name  of  God,  we  declare  and  confess 
before  all  men  the  following  articles  of  our 
belief : 

ARTICLE   I. 

Of  God  and  the  Holy  Trinity. 

We  believe  in  the  only  true  God,  the  Father, 
the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost ;  that  these  three 
are  one — the  Father  in  the  Son,  the  Son  in  the 
Father,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  equal  in  essence  or 
being  with  the  Father  and  the  Son. 


16  HISTORY   AND    DOCTRIXE. 

ARTICLE    II 

Of  Creation  and  Providence. 

We  believe  this  triune  God  created  the  heav- 
ens and  the  earth,  and  all  that  in  them  is,  visi- 
ble and  invisible ;  that  He  sustains,  protects, 
and  governs  these  with  gracious  regard  for  the 
welfare  of  man,  to  the  glory  of  His  name. 

ARTICLE    III. 

Of  Jesus  Christ. 

We  believe  in  Jesus  Christ ;  that  he  is  very 
God  and  man  ;  that  he  became  incarnate  by  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  was  born  of  the 
Virgin  ^Mar}' ;  that  he  is  the  Savior  and  INIedia- 
tor  of  the  whole  human  race,  if  they  with  full 
faith  accept  the  grace  proffered  in  Jesus ;  that 
this  Jesus  suffered  and  died  on  the  cross  for  us, 
was  buried,  arose  again  on  the  third  day,  as- 
cended into  heaven,  and  sitteth  on  the  right 
hand  of  God,  to  intercede  for  us ;  and  that  he 
will  come  again  at  the  last  day  to  judge  the 
living  and  the  dead. 

ARTICLE    IV. 

Of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

We  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost;  that  He  is 
equal  in  being  with  the  Father  and  the  Son  ; 
that  He  convinces  the  world  of  sin,  of  righteous- 
ness, and  of  judgment ;  that  He  comforts  the 
faithful  and  oruides  them  into  all  truth. 


HISTORY   AND    DOCTRINE.  17 

ARTICLE    V. 

Of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 
We  believe  that  the  Holy  Bible,  Old  and  New 
Testaments,  is  the  word  of  God  ;  that  it  reveals 
the  only  true  way  to  our  salvation  ;  that  every 
true  Christian  is  bound  to  acknowledge  and  re- 
ceive it  by  the  help  of  the  vSpirit  of  God  as  the 
only  rule  and  guide  in  faith  and  praclice. 

ARTICLE    VI. 

Of  the  Church. 
We  believe  in  a  hoi}'  Christian  Church,  com- 
posed of  true  believers,  in  which  the  word  of 
God  is  preached  b\'  men  divinely  called,  and 
the  ordinances  are  duly  administered  ;  that  this 
divine  institution  is  for  the  maintenance  of 
worship,  for  the  edification  of  believers,  and 
the  conversion  of  the  world  to  Christ. 

ARTICLE   VII. 

Of  the  Sacraments. 
We  believe  the  sacraments,  Baptism  and  the 
Lord's  Supper,  are  to  be  in  use  in  the  Church, 
and  should  be  practiced  by  all  Christians  ;  but 
the  mode  of  baptism  and  the  manner  of  observ- 
ing the  Lord's  supper  are  alwaj's  to  be  left  to 
the  judgment  and  understanding  of  each  indi- 
vidual. Also,  the  baptism  of  children  shall  be 
left  to  the  judgment  of  believing  parents. 

The  ^.r^w/*/*?  of  washing  of  feet  Is  to  be  left  to 
the  judgment  of  each  one,  to  practice  or  not. 
t 


18  HISTORY   AND   DOCTRINE. 

ARTICLE    VIII. 

Of  Depravity. 
AVe  believe  man  is  fallen  from  original  right- 
eousness, and  apart  from  the  grace  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  is  not  only  entirely  destitute  of 
holiness,  but  is  inclined  to  evil,  and  only  evil, 
and  that  continuallj' :  and  that  except  a  man 
be  born  again  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of 
heaven. 

ARTICLE   IX. 

Of  fiistification . 
'^^^  believe  that  penitent  sinners  are  justified 
before  God,  only  by  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  not  by  works  ;  3'et  that  good  works 
lin  Christ  are  acceptable  to  God,  and  spring  out 
-^f  a  true  and  living  faith. 

ARTICLE  X. 

Of  Regeneratio7i  and  Adoption. 
We  believe  that  regeneration  is  the  renewal 
Df  the  heart  of  man  after  the  image  of  God, 
through  the  w^ord,  b}^  the  a(5t  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  b\^  which  the  believer  receives  the  spirit 
of  adoption  and  is  enabled  to  serve  God  with 
the  will  and  the  affe(5lions. 

ARTICLE   XI. 

Of  Sanctificatio7i. 
We  believe  sanctification  is  the  work  of  God's 
grace,   through   the  word  and  the  Spirit,  by 
which  those  who  have  been  born  again  are  sep- 


HISTORY   AND   DOCTRINE.  19 

arated  in  their  adls,  words,  and  thoughts  from 
sin,  and  are  enabled  to  live  unto  God,  and  to 
follow  holiness,  without  which  no  man  shall 
see  the  Lord. 

ARTICLE   XII. 

Of  the  Christian  Sabbath. 
We  believe  the  Christian  Sabbath  is  divinely 
appointed;  that  it  is  commemorative  of  our 
Lord's  resurrection  from  the  grave,  and  is  an 
emblem  of  our  eternal  rest ;  that  it  is  essential 
to  the  welfare  of  the  civil  community,  and  to 
the  permanence  and  growth  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  that  it  should  be  reverently  ob- 
ser\'ed  as  a  day  of  holy  rest  and  of  social  and 
public  worship. 

ARTICLE    XIII. 

Of  the  Future  State. 
We  believe  in  the  resurrection  of  the  dead; 
the  future  general  judgment;  and  an  eternal 
state  of  rewards  in  which  the  righteous  dwell 
in  endless  life,  and  the  wicked  in  endless  pun- 
ishment. 

POLITY. 

The  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ 
is  not  an  off-shoot  from  any  denomination,  its 
founders  having  held  in  view  the  accomplish- 
ment of  a  special  mission.  It  did  not  arise 
from  differences  in  dodtrine,  for  it  presents  no 
radicall}'  new  dodtrines  of  any  kind.    Its  beliefs 


20  HISTORY  AND   DOCTRINE. 

are  those  of  other  evangelical  churches,  and 
jts  theology  is  Arminian.  It  enjoins  the  ordi- 
nances presented  by  the  Scriptures  and  fol- 
lowed by  the  Christian  churches  in  general, 
jits  founders  united  to  emphasize  the  need  of 
consecration  of  soul  to  God,  and  of  personal 
"religious  certainty,"  and  this  has  been  its 
spirit. 

In  its  administration,  it  is  distinguished  as 
a  body  in  which  the  power  is  almost  equally 
divided  between  the  ministry  and  the  people. 
All  ofiicers  hold  their  place  bj^  consent  of  the 
members,  expressed  by  vote  either  directly  or 
by  representatives.  The  people  choose  the  local 
church-officers,  who  form  the  majorit}-  of  each 
official  board,  and  the  delegates  to  each  general 
conference.  The  quarterly  conference  ele(5ls  a 
lay  delegate  to  the  annual  conference.  The 
annual  conference  chooses  its  presiding  elders 
and  other  officers.  The  general  conference 
eledls  all  the  general  officers  and  boards  of  the 
Church. 

But  one  order  of  ministers  is  recognized  — 
that  of  elder.  Bishops  and  presiding  elders  are 
chosen  from  among  the  elders  simply  as  super- 
intendents. 

In  supplying  the  congregations  with  minis- 
ters, the  "itinerant  system"  is  the  adopted 
method.  All  pastors  are  subjedl  to  settlement 
and  change  as  determined  by  a  committee, 
consisting  of   the   bishop   and   the    presiding 


HISTORY   AND    DOCTRINE.  21 

elders,  at  each  annual  conference.  A  minister 
may  now  remain  upon  a  charge  without  limit 
of  time,  being  subject,  however,  to  annual  re- 
appointment by  the  conference. 

In  form  of  worship  the  Church  seeks  direcfl- 
ness  and  simplicity.  It  has  no  liturgy,  and 
does  not  enforce  uniformit}'  in  service,  each 
congregation  deciding  the  method  for  itself. 

The  meetings  of  the  Church  include  the  reg- 
ular Sabbath  preaching  of  God's  word,  the 
weekly  pra3'er-and  class-meetings,  and  the  Sun- 
day-school, with  such  others  as  each  congrega- 
tion may  determine.  Four  times  during  the 
year  the  * '  quarterl}-  meeting ' '  of  each  charge 
is  held  by  the  presiding  elder,  at  which  time 
the  general  business  of  the  charge  is  trans- 
adted,  the  communion  service  usually  being 
held  upon  the  Sabbath. 

POSITION  ON  MORAL  LIFE. 

A  natural  result  of  the  principles  which  led 
to  the  formation  of  the  Church  has  been  to  re- 
quire of  its  members  devotion  to  Christ,  sim- 
plicity of  faith,  purity  of  life,  and  uprightness 
of  conducl.  Upon  all  questions  of  morality  the 
position  of  the  Church  has  always  been  decided. 
No  compromise  with  evil  has  been  suggested. 

The  law  of  the  Church  forbids  the  sale  or  use 
of  intoxicating  liquors  b3-its  members;  and  the 
renting  of  propert}^  to  liquor  dealers,  or  sign- 
ing a  petition  favoring  them,  is  considered  im- 


22'  HISTORY  AND  DOCTRINE. 

moral.  The  members  are  alwaj-s  found  adlive 
in  every  movement  for  the  growth  of  temper- 
ance. Its  members  are  almost  a  unit  in 
favoring  the  entire  annihilation  of  the  liquor 
traffic  in  the  nation,  and  its  readers  are  active 
in  their  opposition  to  intemperance  in  every 
form.  Its  position,  as  stated  bj^  the  General 
Conference,  is  unequivocal.  Against  the  use 
of  tobacco  the  sentiment  is  strong.  Many  con- 
ferences refuse  to  admit  to  the  ministry  those 
who  use  it  in  any  wa}'. 

The  Church  believes  in  the  unity  of  hu- 
man interests,  and  that  difficulties  between 
capital  and  labor  can  only  be  settled  on  the 
basis  of  intimate  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  the  application  of  the  principles  of  the 
gospel  to  every-day  business  life. 

As  to  the  Sabbath,  the  denomination  believes 
that  the  law  of  the  Sabbath  is  perpetual,  and 
that  the  day  should  be  sacred  and  kept  in  the 
spirit  of  the  author.  It,  therefore,  opposes  all 
forms  of  needless  Sunday  labor,  and  is  pledged 
to  do  by  precept  and  example  all  that  can  be 
done  to  secure  the  keeping  of  the  laws  against 
Sabbath  desecration. 

<  Believing  that  it  is  the  right  of  ever}^  child 
to  have  such  an  education  as  will  fit  him  for 
good  citizenship,  the  Church  is  unequivocally 
in  favor  of  the  American  public  schools,  and 
its  members  do  everything  that  can  be  done  to 
strengthen  these  schools  of  the  nation. 


HISTORY  A2sD   DOCTRlNii.  23 

Only  such  amusements  are  thought  proper 
to  the  Christian  as  will  tend  to  recreate  him 
phj'sically,  mentall}',  and  morally.  Whatever 
will  interfere  with  his  highest  growth  in  either 
of  these  lines  should  not  be  indulged  in. 

Slaver}'  was  always  thought  to  be  a  sin,  and 
in  182 1  was  entirely  forbidden,  the  holding  of 
slaves  being  made  a  misdemeanor.  This  posi- 
tion has  never  been  changed.  Many  members 
in  former  da3'S  suffered  severely  in  defense  of 
this  principle. 

The  Church  has  always  been  decided  in  its 
opposition  to  such  secret  societies  as  seemed  to 
infringe  upon  the  rights  of  those  outside  their 
organization,  and  to  be  injurious  to  Christian 
character.  Its  laws  have  always  held  this  in 
view. 

The  authority  of  the  civil  government  is 
recognized,  and  the  members  are  enjoined  to 
obey  its  laws;  and  while  disapproving  war- 
fare, and  favoring  international  arbitration,  the 
Church  acknowledges  the  obligation  of  everj^ 
citizen  to  protect  and  preserve  the  government 
in  time  of  treason  and  invasion. 

On  the  questions  of  divorce  and  of  the  true 
rights  of  man,  the  position  of  the  Church  is 
undoubted.  Its  principles  and  its  pracflice 
cannot  fail  to  lead  to  hisrh  Christian  life. 


GOVERNMENT. 


CONSTITUTION. 

Adopted  bt  Vote,  1888.— Ratified  by  the  General  Confer- 
ence, 1889. 

•  In  the  name  of  God,  we,  the  members  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  for 
the  work  of  the  ministry,  for  the  edifj'ing  of 
the  bod}^  of  Christ,  for  the  more  speedy  and 
effectual  spread  of  the  Gospel,  and  in  order  to 
produce  and  secure  uniformit}'  in  faith  and 
pra(5lice,  to  define  the  powers  and  business  of 
the  General  Conference  as  recognized  by  this 
Church,  and  to  preserve  inviolate  the  popular 
wdll  of  the  membership  of  the  Church,  do  or- 
dain this  Constitution  : 

ARTICLE   I. 

Section  i.  All  ecclesiastical  power  herein 
granted,  to  enadl  or  repeal  an}-  rule  or  rules  of 
Discipline,  is  vested  in  a  general  conference, 
which  shall  consist  of  elders  and  la3'men  elecfted 
in  each  annual  conference  distridl  throughout 
the  Church.  The  number  and  ratio  of  elders 
and  la3'men,  and  the  mode  of  their  elecflion, 
shall  be  determined  by  the  General  Conference. 

Pfwided,  however,  that  such  elders  shall  have 
stood  as  elders  in  the  conferences  which  they 
24 


GOVERNMENT.  26 

are  to  represent  for  no  less  time  than  three  years 
next  preceding  the  meeting  of  the  General  Con- 
ference to  which  they  are  eledled  ;  and  that  such 
laymen  shall  be  not  less  than  twenty-five  years 
of  age,  and  shall  have  been  members  of  the 
Church  six  years,  and  members  in  the  confer- 
ence distri(fts  which  they  are  to  represent  at 
least  three  years  next  preceding  the  meeting 
of  the  General  Conference  to  which  the}^  aie 
ele(5ted. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Conference  shall  con- 
vene ever}'  four  years,  and  a  majority  of  the 
whole  number  of  delegates  elecTied  shall  consti- 
tute a  quorum. 

Sec.  3.  The  ministerial  and  lay  delegates 
shall  deliberate  and  vote  together  as  one  bod}- ; 
but  the  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to 
provide  for  a  vote  by  separate  orders  whenever 
it  deems  it  best  to  do  so ;  and  in  such  cases,  the 
concun-ent  vote  of  both  orders  shall  be  neces- 
sary to  complete  an  a(ftion. 

Sec.  4.  The  General  Conference  shall,  at  each 
session,  elecl  bishops  from  among  the  elders 
throughout  the  Church  who  have  stood  six 
years  in  that  capacit}^. 

Sec.  5.  The  bishops  shall  be  members  ex 
officio  and  presiding  officers  of  the  General 
Conference ;  but  in  case  no  bishop  be  present, 
the  conference  shall  choose  a  president  pro 
tempore. 

Sec.  6.   The  General  Conference  shall  deter- 


2b  GOVERNMENT. 

mine  the  number  and  boundaries  of  the  annual 
conferences. 

Sec.  7.  The  General  Conference  shall  have 
power  to  review  the  records  of  the  annual  con- 
ferences and  see  that  the  business  of  each  an- 
nual conference  is  done  striclh'  in  accordance 
w4th  the  Discipline,  and  approve  or  annul,  as 
the  case  maj'  require. 

Sec.  8.  The  General  Conference  shall  have 
full  control  of  The  United  Brethren  Printing 
Establishment,  The  Home,  Frontier  and  For- 
eign Missionary  Societ}*,  The  Church-Erection 
Societ}',  The  General  Sabbath-vSchool  Board, 
The  Board  of  Education,  and  Union  Biblical 
Seminary.  It  shall  also  have  power  to  estab- 
lish and  manage  any  other  organization  or  in- 
stitution within  the  Church  which  it  may  deem 
helpful  in  the  work  of  evangelization. 

Sec.  9.  The  General  Conference  shall  have 
power  to  establish  a  court  of  appeals. 

Sec.  10.  The  General  Conference  ma}- — two- 
thirds  of  the  members  elected  thereto  concur- 
ring— propose  changes  in,  or  additions  to,  the 
Confession  of  Faith  ;  provided,  that  the  concur- 
rence of  three-fourths  of  the  annual  conferences 
shall  be  necessary  to  their  final  ratification. 

ARTICLE   II. 

The  General  Conference  shall  have  power,  as 
provided  in  Article  I.,  Section  i,  of  this  Consti- 
tution, to  make  rules  and  regulations  for  the 


GOVERNMENT.  27 

Church  ;  nevertheless,  it  shall  be  subjecfl  to  the 
following  limitations  and  restrictions  : 

Section  i.  The  General  Conference  shall 
enacl  no  rule  or  ordinance  which  will  change 
or  destro}'  the  Confession  of  Faith  ;  and  shall 
establish  no  standard  of  doctrine  contrary  to 
the  Confession  of  Faith. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Conference  shall  enacl 
no  rule  which  will  destroy  the  itinerant  plan. 

Sec.  3.  The  General  Conference  shall  enact 
no  rule  which  will  deprive  local  preachers  of 
their  votes  in  the  annual  conferences  to  which 
the}'  severally  belong. 

Sec.  4.  The  General  Conference  shall  enacl 
no  rule  which  will  abolish  the  right  of  appeal. 

article  III. 

Section  i.  We  declare  that  all  secret  com- 
binations which  infringe  upon  the  rights  of 
those  outside  of  their  organization,  and  whose 
principles  and  practices  are  injurious  to  the 
Christian  character  of  their  members,  are  con- 
trar}'  to  the  Word  of  God,  and  that  Christians 
ought  to  have  no  connection  with  them. 

The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to 
enacl  such  rules  of  Discipline  with  respecl  to 
such  combinations  as  in  its  judgment  it  may 
deem  proper. 

Sec.  2.  We  declare  that  human  slavery  is  a 
violation  of  human  rights,  and  contrarv  to  the 


28  GOVERNMENT. 

Word  of  God.     It  shall  therefore  in  no  wise  be 
tolerated  among-  iis 

ARTICLE   IV. 

The  right,  title,  interest,  and  claim  of  all 
propertj^  both  real  and  personal,  of  whatever 
name  or  description,  obtained  b}^  purchase  or 
otherwise,  b}'  an}-  person  or  persons,  for  the 
'ase,  benefit  and  behoof  of  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  are  hereby  fully 
recognized,  and  held  to  vest  in  the  Church 
aforesaid. 

ARTICLE  V. 

Section  i.  Amendments  to  this  Constitution 
ma}^  be  proposed  by  any  General  Conference, — 
two-thirds  of  the  members  elecfted  thereto  con- 
curring,—  which  amendments  shall  be  submit- 
ted to  a  vote  of  the  membership  throughout  the 
Church,  under  regulations  authorized  by  said 
conference. 

A  majorit}^  of  all  the  votes  cast  upon  any 
submitted  amendment  shall  be  necessary  to  its 
final  ratification. 

Sec.  2.  The  foregoing  amended  Constitution 
shall  be  in  force  from  and  after  the  first  Mon- 
day after  the  second  Thursda}^  of  May,  1889, 
upon  ofiicial  proclamation  thereof  by  the  Board 
of  Bishops  ;  provided,  that  the  General  Confer- 
ence eledled  for  1889  .shall  be  the  lawful  legis- 
lative bod}^  under  the  amended  Constitution, 
with  full  power,  until  its  final  adjournment,  te 


GOVERNMENT.  29 

ena(ft  such  rules  as  this  amended  Constitution 
authorizes. 

OUTLINE     OF     THE     CHURCH-GOVERNMENT. 

An  outline  of  the  government  of  the  Church 
must  include  a  statement  of  its  membership 
and  its  division  into  conferences,  of  the  minis- 
try and  its  characfler,  and  of  the  officers  and 
official  boards. 

The  basis  of  organization  is  the  church,  or 
congregation.  For  the  sake  of  strength,  sev- 
eral of  these  churches  may  be  united,  forming  a 
charge  or  circuit.  These  stations  and  circuits 
are  united  into  conference-distri(5ls,  of  which 
there  are  now  nearly  fifty.  These  annual  con- 
ferences are  grouped  at  present  into  four  dis- 
tridls,  each  presided  over  bj^  a  bishop. 

I.  Membership. — The  membership  of  the 
Church  consists  of  those  who  have  been  form- 
ally received  in  open  congregation  b}'  the  pas- 
tor, opportunit}^  having  been  given  forobjedlions 
to  their  reception.  Before  they  are  received, 
applicants  must  affirm  their  belief  in  the  Bible 
as  the  word  of  God  and  the  only  guide  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  way  of  salvation ;  their  con- 
fidence in  the  pardon  of  their  sins  ;  their  deter- 
mination b}"  the  grace  of  God  to  follow  Christ 
in  a  life  of  holiness  and  devotion  ;  their  will- 
ingness to  be  governed  by  the  church-disci- 
pline. 

Persons  who  are  sincerely  seeking  the  Lord 


30  GOVERNMENT. 

may  be  received  into  the  watch-care  of  the 
Church,  but  are  not  reported  as  members. 

It  is  the  duty  of  every  member  to  acknowl- 
edge his  faith  in  the  Bible  and  its  teachings; 
observe  all  the  ordinances  of  God's  house;  at- 
tend the  meetings  of  the  church;  encourage 
the  Sunday-school;  keep  the  Sabbath  holy;  be 
diligent  in  prayer;  live  a  quiet  and  peaceable 
life  among  his  fellows;  pay  liberally  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  ministry  and  of  the  church;  and 
contribute  freely  to  the  benevolent  work  of 
God's  people.  If  possible,  young  people  are  ex- 
pected to  belong  to  the  3'oung  people's  societies. 

Persons  guilty  of  misdemeanors  or  violations 
of  church  rules,  may,  after  due  admonition  and 
form  of  examination,  be  expelled  by  a  vote  of 
the  local  church. 

Members  removing  from  any  place  may  re- 
ceive, by  a  vote  of  the  congregation,  a  certifi- 
cate signed  by  the  pastor  recommending  them 
to  Christian  fellowship  elsewhere. 

II.  Ministry. — In  close  and  natural  rela- 
tion to  the  membership,  and  springing  from  it, 
is  the  ministry,  which  is  either  itinerant  or 
local.  The  former  includes  not  only  those  who 
are  in  the  adlive  work  of  the  Church,  but  also 
those  who,  once  admitted  to  the  itinerancy,  are 
prevented  by  age,  infirmitj^,  or  personal  choice, 
from  taking  a  charge  in  the  Church.  The  lat- 
ter includes  such  preachers  as  have  not  been 
admitted  to  the  itinerancy. 


GOVERNMENT.  31 

In  the  choice  of  the  ministry',  the  officirl 
members  exercise  the  authority  of  the  Church. 

Each  quarterly  conference  is  authorized  to 
issue  a  license  to  any  person,  properly  quali- 
fied, as  exhorter.  This  must  be  renewed  annu- 
all}'.  Such  persons  ma\'  then  publicly  explain 
the  Scriptures. 

Any  person  desiring  to  enter  the  ministry 
must  apply  to  the  quarterly  conference  of  the 
church  of  which  he  is  a  member.  He  must 
give  satisfactory  evidence  of  his  conversion,  of 
his  knowledge  and  qualifications,  of  his  call  to 
the  ministry,  and  of  his  willingness  to  obey  the 
church-laws.  His  license  is  renewable  annu- 
ally, and  he  must  pursue  the  course  of  read- 
ing prescribed  by  the  Discipline  of  the  Church. 
After  holding  this  relation  two  or  more  3'ears, 
the  licentiate  maj^  be  recommended  to  the  an- 
nual conference  for  admission  as  a  preacher. 
He  must  here  be  examined  upon  his  faith,  ex- 
perience, desires,  determinations,  and  qualifi- 
cations. If  these  be  satisfactory-,  he  ma}-  be 
admitted  as  a  preacher,  upon  probation.  Dur- 
ing the  three  years  of  this  probation,  the  j-oung 
minister  must  pursue  the  course  of  reading  pre- 
scribed by  the  Church,  being  examined  each 
year  upon  the  studies  of  that  3^ear.  At  the 
close  of  this  probation,  after  a  full  examination 
of  his  characler  and  attainments,  the  applicant 
may  be  admitted  to  the  order  of  elder.  The 
ordination  service,   usually  performed  by  the 


32  GOVERNMENT. 

bishop,  by  the  laying  on  of  hands,  is  conducfled 
on  a  day  appointed, —  generally  at  the  meeting 
of  the  annual  conference. 

Having  been  thus  admitted  to  the  conference, 
the  elder  accepts  the  duties  of  the  itinerant,  en- 
joys a  minister's  privileges,  and  may  perform 
all  the  offices  ordinarily  belonging  to  him. 

Since  1SS9  women  are  admitted  to  the  niin- 
istr\'  on  equality  with  men. 

The  minister,  or  elder,  not  only  is  the  spiritual 
leader  and  instrucftor  of  the  church,  but  keeps 
its  records  of  members,  arranges  for  the  collec- 
tion of  its  contributions  to  the  benevolences  of 
the  Church,  and  superintends  all  its  work. 

The  support  of  the  ministry  is  provided  by 
the  people.  At  the  beginning  of  each  year  the 
salary,  as  agreed  upon  by  the  minister  and  peo- 
ple, is  apportioned  among  the  members,  and  it 
is  collected  during  the  year  b}-  the  proper  offi- 
cers. In  cases  where  needed,  assistance  is  given 
from  the  funds  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  either 
of  the  Church  or  of  the  conference.  Provision 
is  also  made  for  the  support  of  worn-out  itin- 
erant ministers  and  their  families  bj'  general 
contributions  of  the  people,  and  by  pa^-ments 
from  surplus  funds  of  the  Publishing  House. 

in.  Officers. — The  local  officers  of  each 
church  are  the  class  leaders,  class  stewards,  and 
trustees.  The  members  of  each  congregation 
are  divided  into  as  many  classes  as  is  thought 
desirable,   and   a   leader   is   chosea    for   each. 


GOVERNMENT.  33 

The  steward  is  appointed  annually  by  tlie 
pastor,  with  the  approval  of  the  class. 

The  Class  Leader  is  to  be  the  spiritual  guide 
of  his  class.  Being  a  faithful  student  of  the 
Scriptures,  a  pious  and  godly  man,  he  is  to  be 
an  example  to  all  his  circle.  It  is  his  duty  to 
meet  his  class  in  prayer  and  conference  meet- 
ings, to  speak  to  them  regarding  their  Christian 
life,  to  visit  them  when  sick,  and  to  encourage 
them  when  in  difficulty. 

The  Class  Steward  collects  the  contributions 
for  the  support  of  the  ministry  and  church, 
keeps  an  accurate  account  of  all  money  re- 
ceived, and  reports  the  same  to  the  treasurer  at 
the  quarterly  conference.  In  congregations  in 
which  paj'ments  for  church-expenses  are  made 
by  envelopes  deposited  at  the  church  each  Sab- 
bath, the  stewards  serve  as  efficient  assistants 
to  the  general  steward  and  treasurer. 

The  expenses  of  the  church  are  met  by  sub- 
scriptions made  at  the  beginning  of  the  confer- 
ence 5'ear,  or  bj'  assessments  upon  the  members 
made  by  the  finance  committee  on  an  estimate 
of  the  annual  expenditure.  These  estimates 
maj-  include  any  items  desired  bj-  the  church. 

The  Trustees  are  the  legal  representatives  of 
the  church.  They  are  chosen  b}'  the  quarterly 
conference  in  accordance  with  the  law  of  the 
State.  The}'  have  charge  of  all  church  prop- 
erty, controlling  the  building  of  churches  and 
parsonages,  and  having  direct  care  of  them. 

3 


34  GOVERNMENT. 

The  Official  Board  oi  each  congregation  trans- 
acts the  general  business.  It  is  composed  of 
the  pastor,  all  properly  recognized  preachers, 
exhorters,  leaders,  stewards,  trustees  of  prop- 
erty, presidents  of  3'ouiig  people's  societies, 
ladies'  aid  societies,  women's  missionarj^  socie- 
ties, and  superintendents  of  Sunda3'-schools 
and  of  Junior  societies,  residing  within  the 
bounds  of  the  congregation.  This  board,  meet- 
ing monthh',  chooses  the  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  the  church,  appoints  and  receives  reports  of 
committees,  and  transadls  all  the  business 
of  the  congregation.  It  submits  the  record 
of  its  business  to  the  quarterl}"  conference. 

The  ministerial  and  executive  officers  are  the 
presiding  elders  and  bishops.  These  are  alwa3's 
ministers,  and  are  chosen  b^'  the  elders  at  the 
annual  and  General  conferences. 

The  Presidiiig  Elders  are  chosen  b}'  the  an- 
nual conference  from  among  its  bod^^  of  elders. 
The  conference  having  been  divided  into  dis- 
tritfts,  an  oflB.cer  is  placed  over  each.  These 
presiding  elders  hold  the  quarterl}^  meetings  at 
each  station,  inquire  into  the  condition  of  the 
work,  spiritual  and  temporal,  and  assist  the 
pastors  in  every  waj^  possible.  At  each  annual 
conference  the  old  and  new  presiding  elders-, 
together  with  the  bishop,  assign  the  ministers 
to  the  various  charges.  The  salarj^  of  each  is 
fixed  b}''  the  annual  conference,  and  is  assessed 
upon  the  various  charges  of  the  district. 


GOVERNMENT.  35 

The  Bishops  are  chosen  from  among  the 
elders,  by  the  General  Conference,  at  each  of  its 
sessions.  These  are  the  superintendents  of 
the  Church,  and  are  five  in  number,  including 
one  bishop  emeritus.  They  preside  at  the 
annual  and  General  conferences,  and  attend  to 
the  execution  of  the  laws  of  the  Church.  They 
hold  annual  meetings  for  deciding  questions  of 
law,  determining  the  time  of  holding  the  an- 
nual conferences,  and  considering  the  general 
interests  of  the  Church.  They  spend  much 
time  in  visiting  the  various  conferences,  con- 
sulting, dedicating  churches,  and  assisting  the 
ministers.  Their  salaries  are  fixed  by  the 
General  Conference,  and  are  apportioned  among 
the  various  conferences  of  each  district,  to  be 
paid  by  the  subscriptions  of  the  people. 

IV.  Conferences. —  Closely  related  to  the 
ofi&cial  meeting,  and  composed  of  the  same  mem- 
bers, is  the  Quarterly  Conference.  On  circuits, 
it  includes  the  official  members  of  all  appoint- 
ments. This  meets  four  times  each  3'ear,  as 
appointed  by  the  presiding  elder.  This  body 
makes  the  settlements  w^ith  the  stew^ards  and 
ministers  ;  grants  licenses  to  exhort  or  preach ; 
inquires  into  the  moral  and  official  chara(5ler  of 
its  members  ;  makes  estimates  of  the  expenses  of 
the  station  or  circuit,  and  provides  for  their  ap- 
portionment; chooses  the  general  stewards,  and 
ele(5ls  a  lay  delegate  to  the  annual  conference. 

Beyond  the  congregation  and  the  circuit  is 


3b  GOVERNMENT. 

the  Annual  Co?ife7'e?ice .  This  consists  of  all 
elders  and  licentiate  preachers  that  have  been 
duly  received  by  the  conference,  and  one  lay 
delegate  from  each  charge.  This  gives  the  lay- 
men active  participation  in  the  control  of  the 
Church  and  in  consultation  for  its  interests. 

This  conference  has  general  supervision  of  the 
work  within  its  limits  ;  fixes  the  boundaries  of 
stations  and  circuits  ;  considers  the  religious 
work  of  the  Church — missions,  Sunda3^-schools, 
etc. ;  receives  reports  from  the  ministers,  includ- 
ing the  money  raised  for  general  church  pur- 
poses, and  examines  the  moral  and  ofiicial 
cliaracl:er  of  each  minister  ;  provides  for  the  ex- 
amination and  ordination  of  candidates  for  the 
ministry  ;  hears  appeals  from  the  congregations  ; 
chooses  presiding  elders  and  other  ofiicers  ;  and 
appoints  a  committee  which,  with  the  bishop, 
stations  the  presiding  elders. 

The  meeting  of  the  annual  conference  is 
alwa3's  an  incident  of  great  interest  and  bless- 
ing to  the  people,  and  is  one  of  the  Church's 
most  efficient  means  of  union  and  Christian 
fellowship. 

The  important  bond  of  union  for  the  Church 
in  general  is  the  Genei-al  Co?ifere7ice ,  which 
meets  every  four  j^ears,  on  the  second  Thursday 
in  Ma}',  at  such  place  as  may  be  designated. 
This  conference  consists  of  ministers  and  lay- 
men chosen  by  the  vote  of  the  members  of  the 
denomination  during  the  month  of  November 


GOVERNMENT.  37 

preceding  its  session.  Each  annual  conference 
is  represented  by  not  less  than  two  nor  more 
than  four  ministers,  and  by  one  or  two  lay- 
men, according  to  the  number  of  its  members. 
These  two  classes  have  equal  privileges  in  the 
General  Conference,  but  voting  ma}-  be  by  orders . 

The  General  Conference  examines  the  admin- 
istration of  each  annual  conference,  and  estab- 
lishes its  boundaries ;  prescribes  the  districis, 
and  assigns  to  each  bishop  his  work  ;  modifies 
the  provisions  of  the  Church  Discipline ;  pro- 
vides for  the  management  of  the  various  insti- 
tutions of  church-work  ;  and  elecfts  the  general 
officers — bi.sliops,  publishing  agent,  editors  of 
periodicals,  secretar\^  and  treasurer  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Societ}-,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the 
Church-Erection  Society,  secretary  of  the  Sab- 
bath-School Board,  business  manager  of  Union 
Biblical  Seminary,  trustees  of  the  Seminary, 
Publishing  House,  and  Church,  and  members 
of  the  Educational,  Missionary  and  Church-' 
Erection,  Young  People's  Christian  Union,  and 
Sabbath-school  boards. 

Thus  the  General  Conference  gives  direction 
to  the  thought  and  power  of  the  Church,  and 
becomes  the  exponent  of  its  faith  and  spirit. 
Its  influence  in  the  Church,  in  uniting  its  inter- 
ests and  diredling  its  energies,  and  in  bringing 
together  its  people  and  teaching  them  the  bless- 
ings of  Christian  fellowship,  cannot  be  over- 
estimated. 


DEPARTMENTS  OF  CHURCH- 
WORK. 


The  Church,  realizing  that  the  efforts  of  its 
members  must  be  exerted  in  specific  diredlions  ; 
that  God  has  commanded  his  people  to  study 
his  word,  to  instruct  others,  and  to  preach  his 
gospel ;  and  that  system  is  essential  to  the  best 
results  of  labor,  has  recognized  various  depart- 
ments for  the  exertion  of  its  energies.  These 
include  the  Sundaj'-school,  the  missionar}',  the 
publishing,  and  the  educational  interests. 

These  institutions  have  earned,  by  their 
blessed  results,  the  enthusiastic  support  of 
ever}^  one,  and  msiy  well  call  forth  the  honest 
pride  of  all  members. 

I.  SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 

From  its  beginning  provision  has  been  made 
by  the  Church  for  the  instrucftion  of  the  youth 
in  the  way  of  the  Lord.  Sunday-schools  for  in- 
struclion  in  the  catechism  were  held  very  early. 
Otterbein  himself  visited  parts  of  the  Church 
and  "started  pra3-er-meetings  and  vSunday- 
schools"'  very  early  in  the  centur}'.  The  first 
school  in  Baltimore  was  begun  in  1827,  at  the 
old  Otterbein  Church.  From  that  time  every 
38 


DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK.  39 

encouragement  has  been  given  to  instnicliou  in 
tlie  word  of  God. 

The  Sundaj'-school  has  ever  been  considered  a 
department  of  the  church,  working  in  and  with 
the  church.  The  superintendent  is  a  church 
officer,  responsible  to  the  quarterly  conference. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  church  is  charged  with 
nourishing  and  encouraging  the  vSchool. 

For  the  promotion  of  the  interests  of  this 
cause  a  Sunday-school  Board  is  elected  b}'  each 
General  Conference.  The  associate  editor  of  the 
Sundaj'-school  literature  is  the  secretary' of  this 
board.  He  directs  its  work  as  needed.  The 
board  also,  through  its  treasurer,  disburses  the 
money  of  the  Sundaj'-school  fund,  which  is 
paid  in  b}-  the  schools  and  congregations. 
This  fund  is  used  to  assist  weak  schools  in 
new  localities,  furnishing  supplies  as  they 
ma}-  be  needed.  This  is  one  of  the  most 
worthy  of  church-benevolences,  the  small 
amount  expended  doing  vast  good.  In  ad- 
dition, this  board  plans  and  suggests  methods 
for  the  improvement  and  enlargement  of  the 
Sunday-school  work  and  influence.  Upon  its 
suggestion,  in  order  that  the  children  may  be 
more  specificall}-  instructed  in  the  histor}'  and 
interests  of  the  Church,  the  first  Sunday  in 
June,  being  that  nearest  Otterbein's  birthday, 
is  fixed  as  Children's  Day.  The  services  of 
this  day  are  all  for  children,  while  the  con- 
tributions go  to  augment  the  board's  perma- 


40  DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK. 

nent  fund.  There  is  also  provided  a  course 
of  stud}'  for  the  preparation  of  Sunday-school 
teachers.  Diploma*  are  given,  signed  by  the 
president  and  secretarj^,  to  all  who  complete 
this  "Normal  Course."  This  "Bible  Normal 
Union,"  as  it  is  called,  is  under  the  immediate 
diredlion  of  the  secretar}',  and  has  a  member- 
ship of  several  thousand. 

As  a  result  of  energ.3'  in  this  department  of 
the  church-work,  the  Sunday-schools  are  un- 
usualh'  prosperous.  In  1896  there  were  3,646 
schools,  with  255,498  scholars,  and  35,363  offi- 
cers and  teachers,  being  52,079  more  than  the 
total  membership  of  the  Church.  From  these 
schools  has  come  much  of  the  strength  of  the 
Church,  and  man}-  of  its  best  workers  are 
trained  in  them.  For  a  number  of  years  Colonel 
Robert  Cowden  has  been  the  efficient  secretary 
of  the  board,  and  much  of  the  growth  is  due 
to  his  energy. 

II.      MISSIONS. 

The  various  conferences  have  been  interested 
during  most  of  the  Church's  history  in  the 
spread  of  the  gospel  beyond  their  immediate 
limits,  and  many  have  supported  missionaries 
in  home  fields.  Indeed,  the  history  of  the 
Church  has  been  that  of  mission-work,  and  the 
denomination  is  essentialh'  missionar}-. 

There  was,  however,  during  the  earlier  years, 
no  union  of  effi)rt  for  foreisrn  missions.     The 


DEPARTMENTS  OF  CHURCH-WORK.  41 

first  suggestions  in  their  favor  were  decidedly 
opposed  b}'  many.  The  general  conferences  of 
1841,  1845,  and  1849,  took  some  inefficient  ac- 
tion upon  the  subjecfl.  During  these  years,  as 
a  result  of  agitation,  opinions  were  changing 
and  the  sentiment  in  favor  of  foreign  work  was 
growing.  Some  of  the  annual  conferences  were 
very  earnest,  and  began  to  move  toward  acliive 
effort.  Finally,  in  1853,  the  general  conference 
organized  the  "Home,  Frontier,  and  For- 
eign Missionary  Society,"  and  appointed 
a  board  of  dire(5lors  and  the  proper  officers. 
Rev.  J.  C.  Bright,  of  the  Sandusky  Conference, 
through  whose  efforts,  especialU',  these  results 
were  reached,  was  the  first  secretary- . 

The  new^ly-appointed  board  met  at  Wester- 
ville,  Ohio,  in  June.  1854.  After  much  deliber- 
ation it  w^as  decided  to  send  a  missionary  to 
West  Africa.  Rev.  W.  J.  Shue\-,  who  had  con- 
stantly urged  the  ac^tion,  was  then  appointed 
the  first  missionary.  As  his  companions,  Dr. 
D.  C.  Kumler  and  Rev.  D.  K.  Flickinger  were 
chosen.  These  sailed  from  New  York  in  Janu- 
ary, 1855,  reaching  Freetown  a  month  later. 
After  much  difficult}^  a  deed  was  obtained  by 
their  successors.  Rev.  J.  K.  Billheimer  and  W. 
B.  Witt,  M.D.,  for  the  present  mission-vStation 
at  Shaingay,  in  Briti.sh  Sherbro,  sixty  miles 
south  of  Freetown,  Sierra  Leone. 

The  history  of  this  mission  from  that  time 
till  1870,   is  an  index  of  the  mission   spirit  of 


412  DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK. 

the  people  of  America.  It  is  a  history-  of  strug- 
gle, discouragement,  and  indifference  even,  at 
home,  and  of  diflSicult}'  and  opposition  abroad. 
Among  those  who  gave  their  ser\'ices  and 
labored  faithfull}-  were  Rev,  D.  K.  Flickinger, 
D.D.,  whose  devotion  to  our  missions  has  been 
of  great  importance ;  Rev.  J.  K.  Billheimer  and 
wife,  so  closel}'  identified  with  the  Church's 
missionar}-  efforts  ;  Rev.  W.  B.  Witt ;  Rev.  C. 
O.  Wilson ;  Rev.  O.  Hadlej'  and  wife ;  and 
Rev.  J.  A.  Williams,  a  native  Christian,  who 
gave  efi&cient  service,  being  often  the  onl3-  one 
in  charge. 

In  1869  a  crisis  was  reached,  and  the  aban- 
donment of  the  work  was  seriousl}-  considered. 
But,  largel}'  through  the  influence  of  Rev.  J. 
Kemp,  better  counsels  prevailed,  and  a  new 
effort  was  made.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  Gomer,  mem- 
bers of  the  colored  church  at  Daj'ton,  Ohio, 
were  sent  out  to  begin  anew  the  work  among 
the  heathen. 

Shortly  after  this  the  board  undertook  the 
education  of  three  5-oung  Africans  at  the 
schools  of  Daj'ton,  Ohio, — D.  F.  Wilberforce, 
David  Kasambo,  and  Remniie  Caulker.  The 
second  of  these  died  soon  after  beginning  his 
education  ;  the  others,  after  a  number  of  years, 
married  and  returned  to  their  native  land.  Mr. 
Wilberforce  was  highh'  successful  while  here, 
and  is  still  an  active  missionary  among  his 
own  people. 


DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK.  43 

Other  onissionaries  have  been  sent  out  and 
the  work  enlarged,  and  though  much  restricted 
by  the  limited  appropriations  of  the  board, 
there  has  been  great  growth.  Now  there  are 
eight  missionaries,  with  sixteen  native  assist- 
ants, 650  appointments,  and  5,583  members, 
including  the  seekers.  The  propert}'  at  the 
various  points  is  of  great  value. 

In  1883  the  American  Missionary  Association 
transferred  to  the  board  for  a  term  of  3'ears  the 
Mendi  Mission,  near  Shaingay,  with  its  annual 
income  of  $5,000.  Christians  in  England  about 
the  same  time  became  interested  in  the  success 
of  our  missions,  and  at  various  times  have 
afforded  material  aid. 

In  1886,  largely  through  the  efforts  of  Rev. 
D.  K.  Flickinger,  D.  D.,  then  missionarj' 
bishop,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rufus  Clark,  of  Denver, 
Colorado,  gave  $5,000  for  the  erection  of  a 
building  at  Shaingay,  West  Africa,  to  be  used 
as  a  training-school  for  bo3'S  who  are  to  become 
teachers  and  preachers.  In  this  way  workers 
are  prepared  without  the  dangers  of  a  long 
journey  to  America.  Rev,  D.  F.  Wilberforce 
organized  the  school  and  was  for  several  j-ears 
its  principal.  Rev.  A.  T.  Howard,  B.A.,  has 
been  the  principal  since  1894,  giving  eminent 
satisfaction.  He  is  ably  seconded  in  his  work 
by  his  wife,  ]Mrs.  May  Stevenson  Howard. 
This  and  two  other  schools  are  under  govern- 
ment   inspection,    and  being   of   an   approved 


44  DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK. 

standard,  they  receive  slight  aid  from  the 
British  government. 

The  methods  of  work  employed  commend 
themselves  to  all.  In  addition  to  the  religious 
teaching,  boys  and  girls  are  received  into  the 
schools  and  taught  much  as  Americans  are 
taught,  the  instruction  including  various  trades 
and  industries.  The  mission  farm  is  carefully 
tilled,  and  its  products  bring  a  good  income. 
Thus  careful  habits  and  a  love  of  work  are  cul- 
tivated, and  a  knowledge  of  the  arts  of  civiliza- 
tion is  given  with  the  religious  instruction. 

Western  Africa  seems  to  be  the  peculiar  field 
of  the  Church,  and  increasing  success  attends 
its  efforts. 

The  board  has  carried  its  foreign  work  also 
into  Germany,  for  the  propagation  of  evangel- 
ical religion  in  that  land.  This  work  was  begun 
in  1869,  Rev.  C.  Bischofif  being  the  first  mis- 
sionary. The  work  has  grown  until  many 
towns  in  Germany  are  reached  by  our  workers, 
of  whom  there  are  ten.  These  churches  have 
over  nine  hundred  members.  The  ministers 
preach  the  same  doctrine  as  did  Otterbein,  in 
the  centur}^  before,  —  the  need  of  conversion, 
and  a  life  devoted  to  God's  service. 

In  1895  God  opened  the  wa}^  for  our  using 
a  few  well-educated  Japanese  in  missionary 
work  among  their  people.  Rev.  George  K. 
Irie,  one  of  the  gentlemen  referred  to,  took  his 
post-graduate  course  in   Lebanon  Valley  Col- 


DKPARTMKNTS   OF    CHURCH-WORK.  45 

lege,  at  Annville,  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  Irie  dis- 
closed the  conviction  that  the  call  of  God  led 
him  to  labor  for  the  evangelization  of  his 
people.  He  found  himself  in  thorough  har- 
mony with  the  doctrines  and  polity  of  our 
Church,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1895,  together 
with  Mr.  U.  Yonej'ama  and  Rev.  S.  Doi,  he  set 
sail  for  his  native  land.  They  held  their  first 
service  in  Tok^-o,  November  17th. 

The  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  Rev. 
W.  M.  Bell,  D.D.,  spent  December,  1895,  and 
Januar}-,  1896,  in  visiting  the  chief  cities  of 
Japan,  to  determine  where  our  work  should  be 
located.  The  secretary',  assisted  by  Dr.  Irie, 
effected  the  first  organization  of  believers  into  a 
church  at  Kusatsu,  Sunda}',  Januarj-  12th,  1896, 
when  twent3--eight  Japanese,  recently  brought 
to^Christ,  united  to  form  a  church,  and  this 
became  the  nucleus  of  our  working  force  in  the 
empire  of  Japan.  Two  missions  were  then 
inaugurated  in  Tok3'o.  Dr.  George  K.  Irie, 
our  superintendent,  has  been  faithful  and 
abundant  in  labors.  Rev.  S.  Doi  and  other 
native  pastors  have  manifested  an  earnest 
devotion  to  Christ  and  the  salvation  of  the 
people. 

In  May,  1897,  the  missions  had  nine  preach- 
ing stations  and  churches,  with  twelve  native 
pastors  and  helpers.  The  membership  was 
above  one  hundred,  and  our  first  church-build- 
ing was  being  constructed  at  Kusatsu.     Our 


46  DEPARTMENTS   OP  CHURCH-WORK. 

superintendent,  by  invitation  of  the  govern- 
ment authorities,  has  held  services  in  a  number 
of  the  police-stations  of  Tokj'o.  No  such 
privilege  was  ever  before  accorded  to  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  Christian  religion.  We  now 
have  four  congregations  in  Tokyo.  This  great 
cit}"  is  the  capital  of  the  empire,  and  has  a 
population  of  one  and  a  half  millions.  JUvSt 
recently  work  has  been  opened  in  Odamara, 
about  forty  miles  from  Yokohama,  and  the  plan 
is  to  establish  a  line  of  stations  extending 
from  Kusatsu,  near  the  Inland  Sea,  down  to 
Tokyo  and  Yokohama.  This  will  place  "our 
work  in  the  midst  of  the  great  population  of 
the  largest  island  of  Japan. 

Nor  is  the  work  of  the  Missionary  Society 
confined  to  foreign  fields.  From  its  inception 
a  large  part  of  its  work  has  been  the  extension 
of  the  Church  into  new  fields,  especiall}-  on 
the  frontier.  The  home  fields  —  those  within 
the  bounds  of  the  annual  conferences  —  are 
under  the  direcftion  of  the  conferences  them- 
selves, as  branches  of  the  general  societ3\ 
Recentl}'  a  strong  effort  has  been  made  in  the 
South,  including  Tennessee.  Dr.  T.  C.  Carter 
is  superintendent  of  this  department. 

In  18S4  a  Chinese  mission  was  opened  in 
Walla  Walla,  Washington  Territor}-. 

In  1887  the  debt  of  the  society,  which  had 
grown  to  over  |6o,ooo,  was  apportioned  among 
the  annual  conferences,  and  a  special  effort  was 


DEPARTMENTS   OE   CHURCH-WORK.  47 

made  to  cancel  it.  Over  $40,000  was  collecl:ed 
for  this  purpose. 

The  receipts  for  missions  for  the  jear  1895-96, 
including  the  amount  spent  by  conferences, 
were  163,498.14.  The  number  of  missionaries 
employed  was  365.  During  the  quadrennium 
1897-1901,  the  mission-work  of  the  Church  is 
to  receive  especial  prominence,  with  the  pur- 
pose of  increasing  the  annual  offering  to  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars. 

As  stated  before,  the  Missionar}-  Society*  is 
simply  the  Church  organized  for  mission-work. 
The  management  is  entrusted  to  a  board  of 
directors  chosen  by  the  General  Conference, 
consisting  of  a  president,  four  vice-presidents, 
secretary',  treasurer,  and  nine  directors,  three 
of  whom  must  be  laymen.  The  payment  of 
ten  dollars  at  one  time  constitutes  a  life-mem- 
ber, and  of  fift}"  dollars,  a  life-direcftor. 

The  board  holds  its  meetings  at  such  time 
and  place  as  it  may  itself  determine.  It  ap- 
points an  executive  committee  to  diredl  the 
work  between  its  sessions.  The  secretary  and 
treasurer  devote  their  time  exclusively  to  the 
interests  of  the  societ\', —  keeping  its  records, 
visiting  its  missions,  attending  conferences, 
soliciting  funds,  and  instnidling  and  encour- 
aging the  work. 

Each  conference  is  a  branch  societ}*,  control- 
ling the  missions  in  its  own  territor3\  It  pays 
one-half  of  its  receipts  into  the  treasury  of  the 


48  DEPARTMENTS  OP   CHURCH-WORK. 

General  Board,  which  largely  depends  upon  it 
for  support.  The  conferences  usuall}^  assess  a 
definite  amount  upon  each  charge  within  their 
limits,  this  amount  being  then  paid  by  the 
members  during  the  Church  3^ear. 

The  Woman's  Missionary  Association 
was  organized  in  1875,  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  eight 
conferences  being  represented.  Without  hesi- 
tation, the  work  was  begun  b}'  the  appointment 
of  Miss  Emily  Beeken  as  missionarj^  to  Africa. 
A  station,  known  as  Rotufunk,  w^as  chosen, 
nearly  sixt}^  miles  east  of  the  work  of  the  Gen- 
eral Board.  The  work  grew,  schools  were 
begun,  and  new  stations  opened,  and  the  name 
of  Bompeh  Mission  assumed,  with  Rotufunk 
as  headquarters.  The  native  mud-house,  the 
home  of  the  missionary,  gave  way  after  a  time 
to  American  houses,  including  home  for  mis- 
sionaries, chapel,  school-house.  Girls'  Home, 
and  industrial  building,  with  a  good  native 
house  for  the  Bo3's'  Home,  as  well  as  boat-  and 
rice-houses.  The  industrial  work  was  developed, 
a  brick-kiln  was  established,  and  carpentering, 
blacksmithing,  and  farming  were  done. 

The  educational  work  was  placed  on  a  firm 
foundation,  good  appliances  furnished,  the 
schools  well  graded,  and  diplomas  granted  to 
graduates.  A  class  of  boys  and  girls  has  been 
educated  who  have  gone  forth  to  man  out- 
stations,  open  schools,  and  do  evangelistic 
work. 


DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK.  49 

Work  is  being  carried  on  at  Bompeli  and 
Palli,  in  the  Temne  country,  at  Rokon,  in  the 
Masimera,  and  at  Makundu,  in  the  Yonnie,  and 
a  few  workers  have  gone  into  the  vast  Mendi 
countr}',  directl}'  east  of  Rotufunk,  and  have 
opened  work  at  Taiama,  Kwalln,  and  Mon- 
gherri.  At  most  of  these  out-stations  schools 
are  established. 

From  time  to  time  the  force  of  American 
missionaries  has  changed,  new  workers  suc- 
ceeding the  old,  some  taking  periods  of  rest, 
then  returning  to  the  field.  The  longest  period 
of  service,  twelve  j^ears,  was  given  b}'  Rev.  R. 
N.  West  and  wife.  Three  faithful  missionaries 
were  called  from  Africa  to  the  heavenly  coun- 
tr}'  —  Rev.  R.  X.  West,  Miss  Frances  Williams, 
and  ]Miss  Elnia  Bittle. 

Being  warned  of  the  need  of  frequent  recu- 
peration, a  home  of  rest  for  the  missionaries 
was  built  at  a  healthful  altitude  on  Mt. 
Leicester,  near  Freetown. 

In  May,  1S97,  eleven  missionaries  were  em- 
ploj^ed  and  nine  native  workers.  There  were 
eight  daj'-schools  and  four  Sundaj'-schools ; 
and  the  church  membership,  including  seek- 
ers, numbered  1,406.  Propert}^  valuation  was 
$17,400. 

Several  attempts  were  made  to  establish  mis- 
sion-work in  Germany,  but  without  much 
success,  and  all  begun  was  transferred  to  the 
General   Board,    and   the   funds   accumulated, 


50  DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK. 

amounting  to  nearly  $3,000,  were  paid  to  them 
toward  the  erecflion  of  a  chapel  for  their 
work  at  Weimar. 

In  1882  work  was  opened  among  the  Chinese 
at  Portland,  Oregon,  and  Mrs.  M.  E.  Sickafoose 
was  appointed  superintendent,  with  Moy  Ling, 
an  educated  Chinaman,  as  assistant.  In  1893 
Mrs.  M.  E.  Henkle  succeeded  as  superintend- 
ent. Instruction  has  been  given  to  a  large 
number  of  Chinese,  quite  a  number  have  united 
with  the  Church,  and  we  trust  good  fruitage 
has  been  borne  by  the  many  who  have  scattered 
to  other  States  and  to  their  native  country. 

In  1892  a  church  was  established  in  Portland 
and  a  building  begun.  The  membership  has 
slowly  grown  to  fiftj'-five.  In  the  fall  of  1896 
Rev.  E.  E.  Fix  assumed  the  pastorate.  The 
valuation  of  Chinese  Mission  propert}'  is 
$8,000 ;  of  Portland  church  and  parsonage, 
$9,000. 

In  Maj-,  1889,  it  was  decided  to  open  a  mis- 
sion in  China,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  same 
year  Misses  Australia  Patterson  and  Lillie  R: 
Shaffner  were  sent  out  as  missionaries,  with 
Rev.  G.  Sickafoose  and  Mo}^  Ling  to  help 
locate  the  mission.  A  location  was  chosen  on 
the  island  of  Honam,  in  the  province  of  Can- 
ton. The  three  who  accompanied  ]Miss  Patter- 
son returned  home  the  following  summer, 
leaving  her  alone.  She  soon  mastered  the 
language  sufficiently  to  do  house-to-house  vis- 


DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK.  51 

iting,  with  the  aid  of  a  Bible-woman.  In 
1891  she  was  reenforced  by  Dr.  S.  Lovina 
Halverson,  and  in  1892  by  Dr.  Regina  M. 
Bigler.  Six  schools  for  girls,  and  later  two 
for  boys,  have  been  maintained.  In  1895  a 
building  was  rented  and  opened  for  chapel  and 
free  dispensary.  With  two  dispensing  days 
per  week,  during  1896,  13,155  cases  were  treated. 
To  all  of  the  patients  some  religious  instruc- 
tion was  given. 

A  native  Chinese  pastor  was  placed  in  charge 
of  the  chapel,  and  two  assistants  began  work 
in  adjoining  villages.  A  section  of  ground  has 
been  purchased  upon  which  to  erect  a  mission 
residence  to  be  known  as  Beth  Eden  (house 
of  pleasantness).  In  May,  1897,  there  were 
three  American  missionaries,  three  additional 
under  appointment,  eleven  native  workers, 
and  fiftj'-seven  church  members  with  adher- 
ents. 

The  total  value  of  the  propert}'  of  this  board 
is  $35,400.  From  organization  to  Ma}-,  1897, 
the  sum  of  ^^234,568.23  has  been  collected. 

This  society  has  taken  especial  charge  of  the 
instruclion  of  the  children  and  youth  of  the 
Church  in  the  work  of  missions,  and  manj-  of 
these  are  learning  to  love  and  encourage  not 
onl}'  the  mission-work,  but  all  the  work  of  the 
Church. 

Each  step  taken  in  our  mission  history  has 
shown  the  blessing  of  God — the  interest  has 


62  DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK. 

increased,  the  contributions  have  grown,  and 
men  and  women  in  many  parts  of  the  world 
have  received  the  gospel.  The  purpose  of 
organization  is  daily  fulfilled. 

III.      CHURCH-ERECTION. 

The  Church-Erection  Society,  organized 
in  1872,  was  under  the  control  of  the  Missionary 
Society  until  18S9,  and  was  managed  bj-  its 
officers.  In  that  j^ear  it  was  made  a  distincft 
department.  In  1897  the  management  was 
again  consolidated  in  so  far  as  that  one  board 
serves  both  societies. 

This  branch  of  work  has  as  its  object  the 
loaning  of  mone}'  to  need}-  societies  for  the 
building  of  churches.  When  help  is  needed, 
application  is  made  to  the  board  of  directors, 
the  money  is  loaned  on  security,  and  is  returned 
with  interest  within  one  to  five  j-ears.  The 
money  is  largely  raised,  as  are  the  missionary 
funds,  by  the  contributions  of  the  membership 
upon  assessment  by  the  conferences. 

With  this  new  attempt  to  enlarge  its  work, 
greater  success  is  assured.  The  determination 
to  open  new  fields  in  our  cities,  and  to  enlarge 
the  work  in  these  directions,  makes  this  one  of 
the  most  important  of  all  the  Church's  depart- 
ments. 

IV.     the  publishing  house. 

In  1829  Aaron  Farmer,  of  Salem,  Indiana, 
began,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Miami  Confer- 


DEPARTMENTS  OF   CHURCH-WORK,  53 

ence,  the  publication  of  the  Zion' s  Advocate,  a 
small  religious  paper.  This  was  the  first 
attempt  at  a  Church  paper.  The  enterprise  soon 
failed  from  want  of  patronage,  but  it  served  to 
awaken  an  interest  in  Church  literature.  The 
General  Conference  of  1833  resolved  to  establish 
a  religious  paper,  and  appointed  three  trustees, 
who  were  authorized  to  collect  subscriptions: 
and  donations,  and  to  publish  a  "  paper  devoted 
to  religious,  moral,  and  literary  intelligence." 
The  next  3'ear  these  trustees  bought  at  Cir- 
cleville,  Ohio,  property,  presses,  and  materials 
valued  at  $1,600.  The  Mountain  Messenger^ 
of  Hagerstown,  Mar3land,  undertaken  a  few 
months  before,  was  purchased  a  little  later,  and 
its  editor,  Rev.  W.  R.  Rhinehart,  was  made 
editor  of  the  new  enterprise.  The  first  num- 
ber of  the  Religions  Telescope,  a  small  semi- 
monthly, was  issued  December  31,  1834,  This 
was  the  beginning  of  the  publishing  interest 
of  the  Church,  which  has  now  grown  to  be  one 
of  its  greatest  and  most  important  faclors  of 
usefulness. 

The  one  paper  then  published  had  a  circula- 
tion of  about  twelve  hundred,  which  at  one 
time  fell  to  a  little  more  than  eight  hundred, 
and  most  of  this  was  unpaid.  It  was  but  a 
short  time,  therefore,  till  there  was  a  growing 
debt.  But  good  management  relieved  this  be- 
fore 1849.  During  these  3'ears  Revs.  Wm.  Hanby 
and  N.  Altman  were  employed  as  agents.     In 


54  DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK. 

1853  the  General  Conference  decided  to  remove 
the  Printing  Establishment  to  Da3'ton,  Ohio, 
and  accordingly  the  trustees  purchased  the  site 
now  held,  one  of  the  best  in  the  cit}-,  for  about 
$11,000.  Rev.  S.  Vonnieda  was  agent  at  that 
time,  and  Rev.  H.  Kumler,  Jr.,  assistant.  The 
credit  S3'stem  was  in  vogue,  and  the  failure  of 
its  customers  to  pay  the  bills  due  almost  over- 
whelmed the  business.  In  1864  a  debt  of  $52,000 
had  been  created,  while  the  assets  were  invoiced 
at  about  $63,000.  At  this  time  Mr.  T.  N.  Sowers 
was  senior  agent,  and  soon  after  Rev.  AV.  J. 
Shuey  succeeded  him,  retaining  this  position 
by  successive  elections  of  the  General  Con- 
ference until  May,  1897,  a  period  of  thirtj^- 
three  years.  The  agent  at  once  proposed  as 
a  method  of  relief  the  "Publication  Fund," 
to  be  contributed  bj^  the  Church.  This  plan, 
adopted  b}'  the  General  Conference  of  1865, 
brought  over  $18,000  to  the  establishment,  and 
gave  it  an  impetus  in  the  right  direction. 
Though  the  struggle  was  long,  3'et  b}'  careful 
management  and  judicious  use  of  resources,  the 
agent  was  able  to  paj"  the  last  of  the  debt  in 
1880.  Since  then  the  assets  have  increased  to 
over  $375,000,  the  business  has  been  greatl}-  en- 
larged, and  its  credit  firmU'  established. 

The  establishment  includes  all  the  depart- 
ments necessary  for  complete  work — wholesale 
and  retail  book-rooms ;  press-,  job-printing, 
news-,    and  mailing-rooms ;    binderj^,    electro- 


DEPARTMENTS   OP   CHURCH- WOK K.  05 

type,  foundry,  and  editorial  departments.  It 
employs  a  large  number  of  men  and  \vonien, 
and  its  business  is  steadil}'  increasing  from 
year  to  3'ear. 

Besides  the  man}-  books  prepared  for  the 
Church,  numerous  periodicals  are  published. 
The  oldest  of  these,  the  Religions  Telescope, 
begun  under  such  unfavorable  circumstances, 
has  grown  to  be  a  strong  and  influential  weekK. 
Among  its  editors  have  been  some  of  the  most 
prominent  men  of  the  Church.  A  list  of  their 
names  may  be  found  in  the  Historical  Tables. 
The  Sunday-school  literature  includes  the  Chil- 
dren's Friend,  Childre?i's  Visitor,  Our  Bible 
Teacher,  the  Lesso7i  Ouaiierlies,  and  For  the 
Little  Ones.  The  circulation  of  these  papers 
is  not  confined  to  our  own  Church,  but  their 
excellence  has  carried  them  far  beyond  its 
limits.  The  Quarterly  Review  has  been  issued 
since  1889,  first  bj'  the  House  directl}',  after- 
ward b\'  a  compan}'  of  interested  men.  The 
Watchivord  was  established  by  the  General 
Conference  of  1893,  thus  adding  an  important 
paper  to  the  list  of  Church  publications.  The 
German  papers,  Der  Frbhliche  Botschafter  and 
Jugend  Pilger,  though  thej-  have  a  more  re- 
stri(5ted  circulation,  reach  the  homes  and 
schools  of  the  German  portion  of  the  Church. 

The  establishment  is  controlled  by  a  board  of 
nine  trustees,  elected  ever}-  four  years  by  the 
General  Conference.     In  immediate  charge  of 


56  DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK. 

the  House  is  the  publishing  agent,  chosen  aLso 
b}^  the  General  Conference.  The  board  meets 
annuall}^  examines  the  condition  of  the  busi- 
ness, controls  the  property,  and  plans  for  the 
extension  of  the  work.  In  the  interim,  a  local 
committee  of  three  holds  montlil}^  meetings 
and  advises  the  agent  regarding  the  conduct  of 
the  establishment.  The  agent  has  immediate 
management  of  all  the  business  of  the  House, 
appoints  and  pa3-s  all  subordinates,  plans  and 
executes  all  its  commercial  enterprises,  and  is 
responsible  for  all  its  work.  Besides  these  busi- 
ness officers  are  the  editor  of  the  Religious  Tele- 
scope and  his  associate,  the  editor  of  the  Sunday- 
school  literature  and  his  associate,  the  editor  of 
the  Watchword,  and  the  editor  of  the  German 
papers,  who  direct  the  periodicals  with  which 
the^'  are  connecfted. 

The  Discipline  provides  that  the  profits  of  the 
establishment,  be3'ond  what  are  necessary  as  a  re- 
serve, shall  be  distributed  amongtheconferences, 
according  to  the  number  of  itinerants,  for  the 
benefit  of  worn-out  preachers  and  their  families. 
Such  a  distribution  has  been  made  in  recent  3'ears 
from  the  funds  accumulated  through  the  excel- 
lent management  of  the  resources  of  the  House. 

V.      EDUCATIONAL  WORK. 

The  energy^  of  the  Church  was  so  fully  occu- 
pied, during  its  early  history,  with  the  work 
of  evano:elization  that  but  little  thouo:ht  was 


DEPARTMENTS   OE   CHURCH-WORK.  57 

given  to  educational  questions.  The  members 
were  largel}'  Germans,  to  whom  an  educated 
ministry  was  synonymous  with  formalit}'  and 
skepticism.  The  members  generally  were  intel- 
ligent people  and  believers  in  the  public  schools, 
and  many  of  the  ministers  were  well  educated. 
Bishop  Otterbein  was  one  of  the  most  learned 
men  of  his  time.  But  none  of  these  thought 
of  education  as  a  part  of  the  Church's  work. 

Finalh%  in  1845,  ^^^  General  Conference 
recommended  to  the  conferences  a  consideration 
of  the  question  of  the  establishment  of  a  Church 
college.  In  accord  with  the  custom  of  the  time, 
each  conference  began  to  agitate  the  question 
of  an  institution  for  itself,  instead  of  one  cen- 
tral universit}^  for  the  Church.  The  Scioto  Con- 
ference was  the  first  to  turn  its  discussions  into 
action.  In  1846  it  purchased,  for  about  $1,300, 
"  Blendon  Young  Men's  Seminar}',"  at  Wester- 
ville,  Ohio.  This  was  soon  after  incorporated 
as  "Otterbein  University  of  Ohio,"  and  was 
opened  for  students  in  1847  — the  first  Church 
institution  of  learning.  Other  conferences  soon 
joined  the  Scioto  in  the  project  and  united 
almost  all  of  Ohio.  President  Lewis  Davis, 
D.D.,  so  long  connected  with  Otterbein  Uni- 
versity, and  later  with  Union  Biblical  Semi- 
nary, was  foremost  among  the  men  to  whom 
belongs  the  honor  of  pressing  forward  the  edu- 
cational work  of  the  Church  in  this  period  of 
decided  and  continued  opposition. 


58  DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK. 

This  was  the  beginning  of  what  may  be 
termed  the  formative  period  of  our  educational 
histor}-,  which  has  been  marked  by  the  organi- 
zation of  very  man}-  institutions  —  some  of  them 
successful,  others  partiall}-  or  wholly  failing. 

Mt.  Pleasant  Institute,  of  Pennsj^vania,  was 
founded  by  the  Allegheny  Conference  three 
years  after  Otterbein  University,  and  after  an 
existence  of  eight  j^ears  was  united  with  it. 
Five  years  after  the  opening  of  Otterbein  Uni- 
versity, Hartsville  College  was  founded  bj^  the 
conferences  of  southern  Indiana.  Later,  in 
1856,  Western  College,  now  at  Toledo,  Iowa, 
was  begun  at  Western,  Iowa,  for  the  Church 
west  of  the  Mississippi.  A  number  of  years 
afterward,  Lebanon  Valle}'  College  was  estab- 
lished in  the  East,  and  Westfield  College  in 
Illinois.  After  these  institutions,  others  were 
founded  in  various  parts  of  the  Church,  as  occa- 
sion seemed  to  demand.  Manj'  of  these  are 
academies,  and  serve  as  preparator}'  to  the 
higher  work  of  the  colleges. 

These  colleges  and  academies  have  all  done 
good  work,  and  most  of  them  are  growing  in 
attendance  and  resources.  None  of  them  has 
been  able,  however,  from  lack  of  extended 
support,  to  attain  the  universitj'  rank  so  much 
desired. 

According  to  the  latest  report  of  the  secretar}- 
of  the  Board  of  Education,  these  institutions 
have  twent3--eight  buildings,  which,  with  their 


DEPARTMENTS  OF   CHURCH-WORK.  59 

grounds,  are  valued  at  $4i5,cx)0.  Their  total 
productive  endowment  is  1213,518,  and  contin- 
gent assets  $174,752.  Total  property,  $913,147  ; 
debts,  $253,938.  Their  libraries  aggregate  28,088 
volumes.  There  are  employed  eightj'-one  pro- 
fessors and  thirty-three  other  teachers.  For  the 
year  1896-97  the  total  attendance  of  students 
was  1,822.  During  the  quadrennium  ending 
with  1897  the  colleges  graduated  (including 
classes  of  1897)  301;  the  academies,  47;  and 
the  Seminary,  42. 

Union  Bibljcal  Seminary,  the  theological 
school  of  the  denomination,  is  the  result  of  an 
imperative  demand  on  the  part  of  the  entire 
Church.  As  the  colleges  grew^  in  influence,  and 
became  centers  of  religious  power  instead  of 
promoters  of  formalitv  and  skepticism,  as  had 
been  predicted  in  early  times,  the  need  of  an 
institution  for  the  special  preparation  of  the 
ministry  w^as  demonstrated.  After  full  deliber- 
ation. Union  Biblical  Seminary  was  established 
at  Daj'ton,  Ohio,  b}'  order  of  the  General  Con- 
ference of  1869.  Dr.  L.  Davis  was  called  from 
Otterbein  Universit}'  to  be  its  senior  professor, 
Revs.  G.  A.  Funkhouser,  D.D.,  and  J.  P.  Lan- 
dis,  D.D.,  being  chosen  as  associates.  For  a 
number  of  years  the  Summit  Street  United 
Brethren  Church  was  used  for  the  work  of  the 
school,  but  in  1879  a  building  was  erected  in 
West  Da^-ton.  The  Seminary  has  proved  itself, 
in  these  few  3'ears,  a  most  valuable  influence  in 


60  DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK, 

our  Church  history' .  While  its  resources  have 
increased  materially  in  recent  years,  it  is  still 
in  need  of  money,  and  the  Church  should 
feel  more  fully  its  importance  as  a  faclor  in 
ijts  life. 

The  Board  of  Education,  of  twelve  mem- 
bers, is  elected  by  the  General  Conference.  The 
objedls  of  this  board  are,  to  awaken  the  Church 
to  a  fuller  appreciation  of  the  value  of  an  edu- 
cated membership  and  ministry ;  to  coUecT; 
funds  for  the  assistance  of  j^oung  persons  who 
are  preparing  for  the  ministry  ;  to  recommend 
to  the  colleges  and  academies  such  measures  as 
will  make  them  more  efficient ;  to  collecl;  statis- 
tics of  the  institutions  of  the  Church  and  report 
them  to  the  General  Conference. 

In  accordance  with  these  provisions,  the  board 
has  suggested  that  the  Church  join  in  the  ob- 
servance of  the  "Day  of  Prayer  for  Colleges  " — 
the  last  Thursday  of  January ;  that  on  the 
following  Sabbath  collections  be  taken  in  all 
the  congregations  for  the  "Beneficiary  Fund." 
This  fund  is  loaned  to  3'oung  men,  without  in- 
terest, to  assist  them  in  their  preparation  for 
the  work  of  the  ministry. 

The  board  meets  annually  at  the  Seminary  at 
Dayton,  during  the  first  week  of  May.  It  has 
had  a  good  influence  in  bringing  together  many 
of  those  most  interested  in  education,  and  in 
suggesting  plans  for  growth. 


DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK.  61 

VI.      HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 

The  Historical  Society  of  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ  was  organized  in 
May,  1885,  for  the  purpose  of  gathering  and 
preserving  records,  publications,  and  relics  of 
the  Church,  and  of  men  and  women  prominent 
in  our  Church  history.  A  large  room  in  the 
Publishing  House  has  been  fitted  with  cases,  and 
here  a  number  of  valuable  articles  have  been 
gathered,  including  files  of  Church  periodicals, 
copies  of  Church  publications,  autograph  letters 
and  manuscripts  of  Otterbein  and  other  workers, 
old  conference  records,  pictures  and  photographs 
of  men  and  places,  relics  from  Otterbein's  home, 
and  other  articles  of  interest  and  value. 

The  membership  of  this  society'  includes  any 
who,  upon  payment  of  one  dollar  or  more  per 
year,  express  an  interest  in  the  objedls  sought 
by  the  society.  Its  officers  are  chosen  annuall}- 
at  the  meeting  held  at  its  room  during  the  first 
week  of  Ma}-. 

Its  work  is  eminently  valuable  in  preserving 
items  of  interest  in  our  Church  history  and 
encouraging  wider  study  of  the  Church  life. 

VII.      YOUNG   PEOPLE'S   CHRISTIAN   UNION. 

For  many  years,  both  in  Sabbath-school  and 
in  individual  effort,  the  young  people  of  the 
Church  have  been  occupied  in  doing  Christian 
work.  For  more  than  twenty  years  there  have 
"ijeen   in    existence,    in    various   parts   of   the 


62  DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK. 

Church,  local  Christian  societies,  organized  for 
the  purpose  of  direcfting  the  efforts  of  the 
3'oung  people.  In  1890  it  was  felt  that  these 
would  be  more  effective  if  the}'  were  united  by 
a  denominational  bond  and  given  definite 
direcftion  by  the  general  work  of  the  Church. 
A  convention  was  therefore  held  at  Dayton  on 
June  4  and  5,  1890,  which  organized  the  Young 
People's  Christian  Union.  The  object  of  this 
union  was  stated  to  be  the  instruction  of  3'oung 
people  in  Christian  life  and  in  assistance  in 
church-work.  The  fact  that  there  alreadj'' 
existed  in  the  denomination  societies  of  various 
forms  of  organization,  led  to  the  formation  of  a 
broad  plan  which  should  include  all  societies 
of  any  name,  leavi4ig  to  each  local  church  the 
direction  of  its  own  work.  The  only  require- 
ment was  the  adoption  of  a  few  simple  items 
in  the  constitution  of  the  local  societ}^  and  the 
paj^ment  of  the  annual  membership  fee.  The 
enthusiasm  of  this  movement  grew  rapidly, 
and  new  societies  were  organized  in  all  parts  of 
the  Church.  Several  biennial  conventions  have 
been  held,  which  have  been  the  largest  general 
gatherings  ever  held  in  the  Church,  and  have 
done  much  to  enlarge  the  scope  of  the  organi- 
zation. 

The  action  of  the  General  Conference  of  1893 
made  this  a  recognized  department  of  the 
Church,  and  its  work  was  taken  under  the 
care  of  the  Church  by  the  election  of   four 


DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK.  63 

members  of  its  executive  council.  This  coun- 
cil includes  the  president,  corresponding  secre- 
tary, and  three  members  chosen  by  the  union 
itself,  together  with  the  four  chosen  by  the 
General  Conference.  It  has  the  general  direc- 
tion and  planning  of  the  work,  and  outlines 
the  efforts  of  the  union. 

In  accord  with  the  general  plan  of  our  Church 
government,  the  societies  of  each  conference 
are  to  be  united  in  the  conference  branch. 
This  gives  union  of  effort,  and  brings  to  each 
portion  of  the  Church  an  organization  diredtly 
interested  in  its  development. 

In  order  to  interest  the  entire  union  in  some 
particular  work,  and  to  give  direcflion  to  the 
life  of  the  society  in  the  general  Church,  as 
well  as  in  the  local,  it  was  decided  in  1891  to 
assist  in  the  organization  and  maintenance  of 
a  mission  in  the  cit}-  of  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia. Rev.  E.  A.  Starkey,  of  Dayton,  Ohio, 
was  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Missions  to 
organize  this  work.  A  lot  was  bought  and  a 
chapel  eredled  largely  through  the  contribu- 
tions of  the  young  people,  made  on  the  anni- 
versary day,  which  is  the  first  Sunday  in  Ma\' 
in  each  year.  After  serving  as  pastor  for  almost 
two  years,  Mr.  Starkey  resigned,  and,  a  few 
weeks  later,  died.  Rev.  J.  S.  Pitman  suc- 
ceeded. A  new  church,  one  of  the  handsomest 
in  the  denomination,  was  built,  and  the  con- 
•jregation  has  grown  with  great  rapidity.     To 


I 

64  DEPARTMENTS   OF   CHURCH-WORK. 

this  enterprise  the  union  has  contributed  about 
five  thousand  dollars. 

The  corresponding  secretarj^  reported  to  the 
General  Conference  of  1897  over  1.850  societies 
organized,  with  about  73,600  members. 


CONCLUSION. 


A  stud}-  of  the  faith,  polity,  and  work  of  our 
Church,  even  as  brief  as  the  foregoing,  may  be 
found  ver}'  suggestive.  It  has  been  seen  that 
in  belief  the  Church  teaches  a  pure  faith  in  sal- 
vation through  the  atonement  of  Christ ;  that 
in  government  it  is  as  liberal  as  is  consistent 
with  efficiency;  that  in  worship  its  forms  are 
simple  and  unadorned  ;  that  in  life  it  enjoins 
the  highest  godliness.  The  histor}-  shows  that 
the  Church  has  grown  slowh-  but  steadih-, 
through  the  devotion  of  earnest  workers,  man\' 
of  whom  have  sacrificed  much  for  its  life  ;  that 
little  b}'  little  its  field  has  been  widened,  first 
in  the  extension  of  its  territory,  afterwards  in 
the  development  of  its  departments  of  effort ; 
that  these  departments,  while  they  have  grown 
in  extent  and  influence,  have  been  retarded  b}' 
lack  of  adequate  moral  and  financial  support. 

This  same  stud}'  presents,  also,  some  of  the 
existing  needs.  If  the  purpose  of  the  Church 
is  to  be  fulfilled,  earnest  labor  for  its  extension, 
devotion  to  the  work  of  Christ,  and  purity  of 
life  and  thought  are  required.  Its  beliefs  and 
polity  settled,  the  development  of  its  various 
departments  of  work  must  be  pushed  forward 
with  energv      Our  missionary  and  educational 

5  liT, 


66  CONCLUSION. 

interests — the  parts  most  dependent  upon  tlie 
benevolence  of  the  members — need  more  ear- 
nest and  enthusiastic  support.  Each  member 
must  realize  that  he  is  responsible  for  a  portion 
of  the  work  of  the  Church  in  the  spreading  of 
the  gospel,  both  for  the  salvation  of  the  heathen 
in  distant  lands  and  for  the  extension  of  the 
Church  in  our  own  land.  Parents  must  feel 
the  importance  of  thorough  education,  in  our 
own  schools,  for  their  children,  if  the  Church 
is  to  have  such  a  membership  as  may  be  able 
to  present  its  claims  in  an  educated  world. 
Young  people  must  grow  to  a  deeper  desire  for 
the  knowledge  w^hich  our  schools  and  colleges 
can  supply.  In  our  Church  publications  are  the 
elements  of  intelligence,  imion,  and  strength ; 
hence,  these  should  receive  constant  support, 
both  in  the  purchase  of  books  and  periodicals 
and  in  the  enlargement  of  the  circle  of  pa- 
trons. Old  and  young  should  feel  that  these 
are  Church  interests,  designed  to  promote  the 
growth  and  to  assist  the  work  of  its  members, 
upon  whom  is  the  responsibility  of  success. 

Our  Church  has  won  for  itself  a  worth}^  place 
among  Christian  denominations.  It  has  done^ 
much  for  the  salvation  of  men.  But  its  influ- 
ence will  be  widened  only  as  its  members  are 
devoted  to  its  work  and  its  interests.  To  secure 
the  greatest  results  in  earnest  Christian  labor, 
a  broad  and  enthusiastic  Church  spirit  must  be 
cultivated. 


HISTORICAL  AND  STATIS- 
TICAL TABLES. 


GENERAL  OFFICERS. 

BISHOPS. 

1800-1813,  William  Otterbein  (died,  1813)  and  Martin 
Boehm  (.died,  1«12). 
1813—1814,  ( "hristian  Newcomer. 
1814—1815,  Christian  Newcomer, 
1815—1817,  Christian  Newcomer  and  Andrew  Zeller. 
1817—1821,  Christian  Newcomer  and  Andrew  Zeller, 
1821—1825,  Christian  Newcomer  and  Joseph  Hoffman. 
1825—1829,  Christian  Newcomer  and  Henry  Kumler, 

Sen. 
lS-29— 1833,  Christian  Newcomer  (died,  1830)  and  Henry 

Kumler,  Sen. 

18;3;5_1837,  Henry  Kumler,  Sen.,  Samuel  Hiestand,  and 
William  Brown, 

lj^7_lS41,  Henry  Kumler,  Sen.,  Samuel  Hiestand  (died, 
18">8\  and  Jacob  Erb, 

1841—1845,  Henry  Kumler,  Sen.,  Jacob  Erb,  Henry 
Kumler,  Jun.,  and  John  Coons. 

184.5_1849,  John  Russel,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  and  Wil- 
liam Hanby. 

1849—1853,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  Jacob  Erb,  and  David 
Edwards. 

18.>3— 1857,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  David  Edwards,  and 
Lewis  Davis. 

ia57— 1861,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  David  Edwards,  Lewis 
Davis,  D.D.,  and  John  Russel. 

1861—186.5,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  David  Edwards,  Jacob 
Markwood,  Daniel  Shuck,  and  Henry  Kumler,  Jun. 

186.5—1869,  J.  J,  Glossbrenner,  David  Edwards,  Jacob 
Markwood,  Jonathan  Weaver,  and  Daniel  Shuck. 

67 


68  HISTORICAI.   TABLES. 

1869—1873,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  David  Edwards,  D.D., 
Jonathan  Weaver,  and  John  Dickson. 

1873—1877,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  David  Edwards,  D.D. 
(died,  1876),  Jonathan  Weaver,  D.D.,  and  John  Dick- 
son. 

1877—1881,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  Jonathan  Weaver,  D.D., 
John  Dickson,  D.D.,  Milton  Wright,  D.D.,  and  Nicholas 
Castle. 

1881—188.5,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  D.D.,  Jonathan  Weaver, 
D.D.,  John  Dickson,  D.D.,  E.  B.  Kephart,  D.D.,  and 
Nicholas  Castle. 

1885—1889,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  D.D.,  Emeritus  (died, 
1887),  Jonathan  Weaver,  D.D.,  E.  B.  Kephart,  D.D.,  N. 
Castle,  J.  Dickson,  D.D.,  M.  Wright,  D.D.,  and  D.  K. 
Flickinger,  D.D. 

1889—1893,  Jonathan  Weaver,  D.D.,  E.  B.  Kephart,  D.D., 
LL.D.,  N.  Castle,  D.D.,  J.  Dickson,  D.D.,  and  J.  W.  Hott, 
D.D. 

1893—1901,  Jonathan  Weaver,  D.D.,  Emeritus,  E.  B.  Kep- 
hart, D.D.,  LL.D.,  N.  Castle,  D.D.,  J.  W.  Hott,  D.D.,  LL.D., 
and  J.  S.  Mills,  D.D.,  Ph.D. 

AGENTS  OF  THE  PUBLISHING  HOUSE. 

Three  Trustees— John  Russel,  Jonathan  Dres- 
bach,  George  Dresbach— and  Editor  W.  R. 

Rhinehart 1834  to  1837 

Rev.  Wm.  Hanby,  Treasurer  and  Agent 1837  to  1839 

Rev.  Wm.  Hanbj-,  Agent  and  Editor 1839  to  1845 

Rev.  J.  Markwood  (elected,  but  did  not  serve).1845 

Rev.  N.  Altman 1845  to  1852 

Rev.  Wm.  Hanby 18.52  to  18.53 

Rev.  S.  Vonnieda 18.53  to  1854 

Rev.  S.  Vonnieda  and  Rev.  H.  Kumler,  Jun..  18.54 

Rev.  S.  Vonnieda  and  T.  N.  Sowers 18-5.5  to  1861 

T.  N.  Sowers  and  J.  B.  King 1861  to  1864 

T.  N.  Sowers  and  Rev.  W.  J.  Shuey 1864  to  1865 

Rev.  W.  J.  Shuey  and  T.  N.  Sowers   1865 

Rev.  W.  J.  Shuey  and  Rev.  Wm.  McKee 1865  to  1866 

Rev.  W.  J.  Shuey 1866  to  1897 

Kev.  W.  R.  Funk 1897 


HISTORICAL  TABLES.  .69 

EDITORS  OF  THE  "RELIGIOUS  TELESCOPE." 

Rev.  AVni.  Rhinehart 18:34  to  1839 

♦  Rt'V.  Wm.  Hanby is;39  to  1845 

Rev.  D.  Edwards 1845  to  1849 

Rev.  Wm.  Hanby 1849  to  1802 

Assistant :  Rev.  John  Lawrence 1850  to  18-32 

Rev.  John  Lawrence 1852  to  1864 

Rev.  D.  Berger 1804  to  1869 

Rev.  M.  Wright 1S<J9  to  1873 

Assistani  :  Rev.  D.  Ber-er 1869  to  1873 

Rev.  .M.  Wright  and  Rev.  W.  O.  Tobey,  A.M  ..1873  to  1877 
Rev.  J.  W.  Hott,  D.D 1877  to  1889 

Assistaiits:  Rev.  W.  O.  Tobey,  A.M 1877  to  1881 

Rev.  M.  R.  Drury,  A.M 1881  to  1889 

Rev.  L  L.  Kephart,  D.D 1889 

Associates :  Rev.  M.  R.  Drury,  D.D 1889  to  1897 

Piov.  A.  P.  Funkhouser lS!.t7 

EDITORS  OF  SABBATH-SCHOOL  PERIODICALS. 

Bishop  D.  Edwards 1S54  to  1857 

Rev.  Alex.  Owen 18-57  to  1859 

Rev.  S.  Vonnieda 1859  to  1869 

Rev.D.  Berger,  D.D 1869  to  1893 

Associate :  Rev.  J.  W.  Etter,  D.D 1889  to  1893 

Rev.  J.  W.  Etter,  D.D 1893  to  1895 

Rev.D.  Berger,  D.D 1895  to  1897 

Associate :  Rev.  H.  A.  Thompson,  D.D.,  LL.D  1893  to  1897 
Rev.  H.  A.  Thompson,  D.D.,  LL.D 1897 

Associate:  Col.  Robert  Cov/den,  Lit.D 1897 

EDITORS  OF  "UNITY  MAG.AZINE." 

Bishop  David  Edwards 18-53  to  18.57 

Rev.  Alex.  Owen 18-57  to  1859 

EDITORS  OF  "QUARTERLY  REVIEW." 

Rev.  J.  W.  Etter,  D.D 1889  to  1893 

Associates:  Rev.  G.  A.  Funkhouser,  D.D.  .,1891  to  1892 
Rev.  J.  P.  Landis,  D.D.,  Ph.D.  ..1891  to  1892 

Rev.  A.  W.  Drury,  D.D 1891  to  1892 

Professors  of  Union  Biblical  .Seminary 1893 

r;ev.  G.  M.  Mathews,  D.D 1894. 


70*  HISTORICAL  TABLES. 

EDITOR  OF  "YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  WATCHWORD.  " 

Rev.  H.  F.  Sbupe 1893 

EDITORS  OF  GERMAN  PAPERS. 

Rev.  John  Russel  {  unofficial ) 1840  to  1841 

Rev.  Jacob  Erb JMl  to  1842 

Rev.  N.  Altman 1846  to  1847 

Rev.  D.  Strickler 1847  to  18-51 

Rev.  Henry  Staub 18.51  to  18.55 

Rev.  Julius  Degmeier 1855  to  1858 

Rev.  S.  Vonnieda 18.58  to  1860 

Rev.  Ezekiel  Light 1866  to  1869 

Rev.  William  Mittendorf 1869  to  188-5 

Rev.  Ezekiel  Light 1885  to  1889 

Rev.  William  Mittendorf 1889  to  189-3 

Rev.  Ezekiel  Light,  D.D 1893 

Rev.  Wm.  Mittendorf  > 1893  to  1895 

Rev.  E.  Lorenz 1895 

EDITORS  OF  "WOMAN  S  EVANGEL.  " 

Mrs.  L.  R.  Keister,  M.A 1882  to  1893 

Associate  :    Mrs.  L.  K.  Miller,  M.  A 1888  to  1893 

Mrs.  L,  K.  Miller,  M. A 1893 

SECRETARIES  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS. 

Rev.  J.  C.  Brigh t 18-53  to  1857 

Rev.  D.  K.  Flickinger,  D.D 1857  to  1885 

(  Rev.  J.  C.  Bright  acted  as  Secretary  for  a  number 
of  months  during  1S57  and  1S58,  but  was  compelled  by 
declining  health  to  leave  tbe  work.) 

Rev.  Z.  Warner,  D.D.^ 1885  to  1887 

Rev.  Wm.  McKee,  Acting  Secretary 1887  to  1888 

Rev.  B.  F.  Booth,  D.D.i 1888  to  1893 

Rev.  W.  31.  Bell,  D.D 1893 

TREASURERS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS. 

Rev.  John  Kemp ; 1853  to  1869 

Rev.  Wm.  McKee 1869  to  1873 

Rev.  J.  W.  Hott 1873  to  1877 

Rev.  J.  K.  Billheimer 1877  to  1885 

Rev.  Wm.  McKee,  D.D 1885 

>  Died.       2  Resigned. 


HISTORICAL  TABLES.  71 

SECRETARIES  OF  CHURCH-ERECTION  SOCIETY. 

Secretaries  of  Board  of  Missions 1H72  to  1889 

Rev.  .John  Hill  ^ 1S89  to  1h«M) 

Rev.  Wm.  MeKee,  Acting  Secretary 1890  to  ism 

Rev.  C.  1.  B.  Braiie,  A.M.^ 18««  to  1h94 

Rev.  \V.  M.  Wc.'klcy isHo 

TREASURERS  OF  CHURCH-ERECTION  SOCIETY. 

Treasurers  of  Board  of  Missions 1.S72 

SECRETARIES  OF  WOMAN'S  MISSIONARY 
ASSOCIATION. 

Mrs.  L.  R.  Keister,  M.A 1881  to  1893 

Mrs.  B.  F.  Witt imi 

SECRETARIES  OF  THE  SABBATH-SCHOOL 
ASSOCIATION. 

Rev.  I.  Crouse 18t>5  to  1877 

Col.  Robert  Cowden,  Lit.D 1877  to  1897 

Associate  Editor  of  the  Sunday-School  Liter- 
ature   1897 

GENERAL  MANAGER  OF  UNION  BIBLICAL 
SEMINARY. 

Rev.  D.  R.  Miller,  D.D 188.5  to  1897 

Rev.  W.  J.  Shuey 1897 


GENERAL  CHURCH  BOARDS. 

1897-1901. 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES  OF  THE  CHURCH. 
Rev.  D.  R.  Miller,  D.D.,  Bishop  E.  B.  Kephart,  D.D., 
LL.D.,  Prof.  .7.  P.  Landis,  D.D.,  Ph.D.,  Rev.  \V.  J.  Shuey, 
Hon.  S.  E.  Kemp,  Rev.  William  McKee,  D.D.,  Bishop  N. 
Castle,  D.D.,  Judge  J.  A.  Shauck,  Rev.  G.  M.  Mathews, 
D.D.,  Pres.  T.  J.  Sanders,  Ph.D.,  Bishop  J.  S.  [Mills, 
D.D.,  Ph.D.,  and  Hon.  W.  H.  Jack. 

» Resigned. 


72  HISTORICAIv  TABLES. 

BOARD  OF  MISSIONS. 

Meets  annually.  Bishop  J.  Weaver,  D.D.,  President ; 
Bishops  E.  B.  Kephart,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  N.  Castle,  D.D.,  J.  W. 
Hott,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  and  J.  S.  Mills,  D.D.,  Ph.D.;  Rev.  I.  H. 
Albright,  I.  B.  Haak,  Rev.  A.  Orr,  L.  O.  Miller,  John  Knox, 
Rev.  J.  A.  F.  King,  Rev.  George  Sickafoose,  Dr.  H.  W. 
Trueblood,  and  Rev.  C.  C.  Bell. 

CHURCH-ERECTION  BOARD. 

Includes  the  same  membei-s  as  the  Board  of  Missions, 
the  two  boards,  by  action  of  the  General  Conference  of 
1897,  being  identical. 

WOMAN'S  MISSIONARY  ASSOCIATION. 

Meets  annually.  Board  of  Trustees  is  elected  annu- 
all3'.  For  1897  they  are:  Mrs.  L.  K.  Miller,  President; 
Mrs.  L.  R.  Harford,  Mrs.  B.  Marot,  Mrs.  Lida  M.  West, 
Mrs.  B.  F.  Witt,  Mrs.  L,  O.  Miller,  Mrs.  D.  L.  Rike,  Mrs. 
G.  A.  Funkhouser,  Miss  Ellen  Groenendj-ke. 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL  BOARD. 

Meets  annually.  Rev.  A.  Snider,  President;  Col.  Rob- 
ert Cowden,  Lit.D.,  Rev.  Wm.  Williamson,  Rev.  E.  W. 
Bowers,  Rev.  R.  E.  Williams,  A.M.,  Rev.  C.  J.  Kephart, 
D.D.,  Rev.  H.  A.  Thompson,  D.D.,  LL.D. 

TRUSTEES  OF  THE  PUBLISHING  HOUSE. 

Meet  annually.  Rev.  L.  W.  Stahl,  Rev.  Geoige  Miller, 
D.D.,  E.  R.  Smith,  M.D.,  S.  E.  Kumler,  Rev.  D.  R.  :Mi!ler, 
D.D.,  Rev.  G.  M.  Mathews,  D.D.,  Rev.  D.  W.  Sprinkle, 
John  Dodds,  and  Hon.  Matt.  Edmonds. 

DIRECTORS  OF  UNION  BIBLICAL  SEMINARY. 

Meet  annuallj'.    Rev.  H.  B.  Dohner,  Rev.  C.  A.  Burt- 

ner,  Hon.  S.  E.  Kemp,  Rev.  C.  J.  Burkert,  Rev.  S.  M. 

Hippard,  Rev.  E.  Lorenz,  Rev.  J.  H.  Snyder,  D.D.,  Rev.  S. 

Mills,  Rev.  J.  W.  Lilly,  and  Rev.  G.  W.  Deaver. 

BOARD  OF  EDUCATION. 

Meets  annually.    Bishop  E.  B.  Kephart,  D.D.,  LL.D., 

President;   Bishop  J.  S.  Mills,  D.D.,  Ph.D.,  Bishop  X. 

Castle,  D.D.,  Pres.  T.  J.  Sanders,  Ph.D.,  Prof.  G.  A.  Funk- 


HISTORICAL   TABLES.  73 

houser,  D.D.,  Prof.  R.  J.  White,  A.M.,  Pros.  L.  Book- 
waiter,  D.D.,  Rev.  T.  C".  Carter,  D.D.,  Rev.G.  M.  Mathews, 
D.D.,  Pres.  C.  M.  Brooke,  A.M.,  Prof.  J.  P.  Landis,  D.D., 
Ph.D.,  and  Rev.  W.  J.  Shuey. 

HISTORICAL    SOCIETY. 

Meets  annually,  and  elects  officers  annuallj'.  The 
officers  for  lS'J7-y8  arc:  President,  Bishop  E.  B.  Kephart, 
D.D.,  LL.D.;  Vice-Presidents,  Bishoj)  N.  Castle,  D.D.,  Rev. 
G.  M.  Mathews,  D.D.;  Secrctarn,  Rev.  A.  W.  Drury,  D.I)., 
Dayton,  Ohio;  Treasurer,  Rev.  D.  Berger,  D.D.,  Dayton, 
Ohio;  Librarian,  W.  A.  Shuey,  A.M.,  Dayton,  Ohio.  Board 
of  Managers  (with  above-named  officers!.  Bishop  .J. 
Weaver,  D.D.,  Rev.  W.  J.  Shuey,  Rev.I.  L.  Kephart,  D.D., 
Rev.  L.  Bookwalter,  I>.T>.,  Rev.  M.  R.  Drury,  D.D.,  Rev. 
\V.  McKee,  D.D. 

YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 

EXECUTIVE   COINCII.. 

P)-esidenl,  Prof.  J.  P.  Landis,  D.D.,  Dayton,  Ohio;  Corre- 
sponding Secretary,  Rev.  H.  F.  Shupe,  Dayton,  Ohio;  Rev. 
W.  A.  Dickson,  Rev.  A.  A.  Armen,  Rev.  H.  H.  f^out,  Rev. 
Geo.  Miller,  D.D.,  E.  L.  Shuey,  A.M.,  Rev.  J.  A.  Eby,  Rev. 
W.  O.  Fries,  A.M. 

Vice-Presidents. 

East  District,  Rev.  \V.  L.  Richardson,  Lenoir,  Tenn.; 
Ohio  District,  Rev.  Wm.  Williamson,  Mifflin,  Ohio; 
Northwest  District,  Rev.  A.  B.  Statton,  A.M.,  Olin,  Iowa; 
.Southwest  District,  Rev.  \V.  E.  Schell,  A.B.,  York,  Neb.; 
Pacific  Coast  District,  Rev.  J.  S.  Pitman,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

Recording  Secretary,  Miss  Lizzie  Sheets,  Vermilion, 
111.;  Treasurer,  Z.  W.  Barnard,  Cleveland,  Ohio;  Editor, 
Rev.  H.  F.  Shupe,  Dayton,  Ohio. 


EDUCATIONAL  INSTITUTIONS. 

Otterbein  Universiip—W esierviUe,  Ohio.    Founded,  1847. 

Western  College— Toledo,  Iowa.    Founded,  1856. 

Lane  University— hecoraptoUy  Kansas.    Founded,  1865. 


74  HISTORICAL  TABLES. 

Philomath  Co/Zegre— Philomath,  Oregon.    Founded,  1805. 

Westfield  Co^Zegre— West  field,  Illinois.    Founded,  186v5. 

Lebanon  Valley  College  —  Annville,  Pennsylvania. 
Founded,  1866. 

San  Joaquin  Valley  College— \s  oodhri^^e,  California. 
Founded,  1878. 

Avalon  College— A\a\on,  Missouri.  Founded  as  Aead- 
emy,  1869;  as  College,  1881. 

York  College— YoriL,  Nebraska.    Founded,  1890. 

Union  fo/Zefire— Buckhannon,  West  Virginia.  Founded 
as  Academy,  1883;  as  College,  1896. 

Union  Biblical  Seminary— Theological— Dayton,  Ohio. 
Founded,  1871. 

Shenandoah  Institute— Dayton,  Virgi nia.   Founded,  1876. 

Edwards  Academy— y^^ \iite  Pine,  Tennessee.  Founded, 
1877. 

Erie  Conference  Seminary  —  Sugar  Grove,  Warren 
County,  Pennsylvania.    Founded,  1884. 

Rufus  Clark  and  Wife  Training-SchoolShaingay,  West 
Africa.    Founded,  1887. 

Desired  information  may  be  obtained  from  the  Presidents 
and  Principals  of  these  institutions. 


THE  CHURCH. 
HISTORICAL  OUTLINE. 

Philip  Willia3I  Otterbeix  was  born  in  Germany, 
172();  came  to  America  as  a  Missionary-,  1732;  Pastor  in 
Baltimore,  1774  until  his  death,  1813;  Bishop  in  the 
United  Brethren  Church,  1800-1813. 

Religious  Movement  under  Otterbein  and  Boehm, 
1766-1800. 

First  Conference,  Baltimore,  Maryland,  1789. 

Church  Formally  Organized  in  Frederick  County, 
Maryland,  1800. 

First  General  Conference,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pennsylvania, 
1815. 

Confession  of  Faith  Revised  and  Formally  Adopted, 
1815. 


HISTORICAL  TABLES.  75 

First  Sunday  School  Organized,  in  Corydon,  Indiana, 
18l.'(>. 

Publishing  House  Established,  at  Circleville,  Ohio, 
1«34. 

Constitution  Adopted,  First,  1837;  Second,  184L 

First  Oollege  Founded,  Otterbein  University,  1H47. 

Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  Or- 
ganized, 1S5S. 

Missionary  Work  in  Africa  Begun,  ISoo. 

Sunday -School  Association  Organized,  1865. 

Board  of  Education  Organized,  1869. 

Church-Erection  Society  Organized,  1869, 

Missionary  Work  in  Germany  Begun,  1870. 

Union  Biblical  Seminary  Founded,  1S7L 

Woman's  Missionary  Association  Organized,  1875. 

Missionary  Work  Among  the  Chinese  on  Pacific  Coast 
Begun,  1882. 

Missionary  Work  in  China  Begun,  1S89. 

Amended  Constitution  and  Revised  Confession  of 
Faith  Adopted,  1889. 

Young  People's  Christian  Union  Organized,  June  5, 
1890. 

Los  Angeles  Mission  Begun,  1891. 

Japanese  Mission  Established,  1895. 

Territory  Occupied,  United  States,  Canada,  and  Mis- 
sions in  Germany,  Africa,  Japan,  and  China. 

GROWTH  IN  MEMBERSHIP. 

18131 10,000       18.331 47,000       1892 203,893 

18201 9,000        1861 94,4.>3        1893 204,517 

18351 20,000       1870 118,055       1894 223,6^ 

18451 30,000        1880 157,835        1895 2:33,204 

18501 40,000        1890 197,123        1896 238,782 

GENERAL  CONFERENCES. 

1815— Mt.  Pleasant,  Pennsylvania. 

1817— Mt.  Pleasant,  Pennsylvania. 

1821— Mr.  Dewalt  Mechlin's,  Fairfield  County,  Ohio. 

1825 — Jacob  Shaup's,  Tuscarawas  County,  Ohio. 


1  Estimated. 


76  HISTORICAL  TABLES. 

1829— Mr.  Dewalt  Mechliu's,  Fairfield  County,  Ohio. 

1833— George  Dresbach's,  Pickaway  County,  Ohio. 

1837— Germ  antown,  Ohio. 

1841— Dresbach's  Church,  Pickaway  County,  Ohio. 

1845— Circle vi lie,  Pickaway  County,  Ohio. 

1849— Germantown,  Ohio. 

1853— Miltonville,  Ohio. 

1857— Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

1861— Westerville,  Ohio. 

18&5— Western,  Iowa. 

1869— Lebanon,  Pennsylvania, 

1873— Dayton,  Ohio. 

1877— Westfield,  Illinois. 

1881— Lisbon,  Iowa. 

188.>— Fostoria,  Ohio. 

18S9— York,  Pennsylvania. 

1893— Dayton,  Ohio. 

1897— Toledo,  Iowa. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  ANNUAL  CONFERENCES. 

First  conference  of  ministers  of  the  East  A\as  held  in 
1789. 

A  second  conference  of  ministers  was  held  in  1791. 

Following  these,  necessary  business  was  transacted  at 
"big  meetings,"  or  on  the  authority  of  two  or  more 
preachers,— 1792-1799. 

The  original  conference  in  the  East  was  constituted 
in  1800. 

TIME  OF  ORGANIZATION. 

The  First  Six  Conferences  were: 

Original  Conference 1800 

Miami 1810 

Muskingum 1818 

Scioto 1825 

Indiana 1830 

Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  Conferences  made  sep- 
arate   1831 

Allegheny 1839 

Arkansas  Valley 1881 

Auglaize  (first  called  Maumee). 1853 


HISTORICAL  TABLES.  77 

California 1«64 

Central  Illinois     I860 

Central  Ohio 1878 

Chickauiauga  Mission  District  ( colored ) 18SW 

Colorado 1872 

Columbia  River  (first  called  Cascade,  then  Walla 

Walla) 1865 

Dakota  ( now  not  a  separate  conference ) 1871 

Des  Moines 1861 

East  German  ( now  Eastern ) 1870 

East  Nebraska 1873 

East  Ohio  (by  union  of  Muskingum  and  Western 

Reserve ) 1886 

East  Pennsylvania 1847 

East  Tennessee 1897 

Eastern  (  formerly  East  German ) 1870 

Elkhorn  (now  not  a  separate  conference) 1882 

Elkhorn  and  Dakota  united 1885 

Erie : 1853 

Fox  River  ( now  not  a  separate  conference ) 1861 

Germany 1879 

Hagerstown  ( the  original  conference,  no  longer  dis- 
tinctly preserved) 1800 

Illinois 1845 

Indiana  ( now  Southern  Indiana ) 18:30 

Iowa 1845 

Kansas 1857 

Kentucky 18-50 

Lower  Wabash  (by  division  of  Wabash) 1858 

Maryland 1887 

Miami 1810 

Michigan  ( first  called  North  Michigan ) 1862 

Minnesota 1857 

Missouri 1858 

Muskingum  (now  part  of  East  Ohio) 1818 

Neosho 1870 

North  Michigan  ( first  called  Saginaw,  now  united 

with  the  Michigan  ) 1877 

North  Ohio  (first  called  Michigan) 1853 

Northwest  Kansas  ( first  called  West  Kansas ) 1879 


78  HISTORICAIv  TABLE:S. 

Ohio  German 1853 

Oklahoma 1897 

Ontario  (first  called  Canada) 1856 

Oregon 1855 

Parkersburg  (now  West  Virginia) 1858 

Pennsylvania  ( by  division  of  Hagerstown  Confer- 
ence)   1831 

Rock  River 1853 

St.  Joseph 1846 

Sandusky 1834 

Scioto 1825 

Sherbro  ( now  West  Africa ) 1884 

Southern  Indiana  (formerly  Indiana) 1830 

Southern  Missouri  ( first  called  Southwest  Missouri )  1881 
Southwest  Kansas  (now  reunited  with  Arkansas 

Valley) 1893 

Tennessee  ( now  East  Tennessee ) 1866 

Tennessee  River  (now  West  Tennessee) 1896 

Upper  Wabash  ( by  division  of  Wabash  ) 1858 

Virginia  (by  division  of  Hagerstown  Conference),.  1831 

Virginia  Mission  District  ( colored  ) 1897 

Wabash  ( no  longer  distinctly  preserved ) 1835 

West  Africa  (formerly  Sherbro) 1884 

West  Nebraska 1878 

W est  Tennessee 1897 

W^est  Virginia  ( formerly  Parkersburg ) 1858 

W^estern  Reserve  ( now  part  of  East  Ohio ) 1853 

White  River 1846 

Wisconsin • 1858 


HISTORICAL  TABLES. 
CENSUS  OF  1890,  BY  STATES. 


78 


t- 

i 

>i 

>. 

x 

States. 

ti 

1 

Si 

1 

It 

II 

§1 

P 

£2 

S 

a 

X 

C 

1 

0 

> 

1^ 

California... 

24 

15 

3.825'     8 

915 

$28,400 

.588 

Colorado 

18 

8 

l,80<-»,  10 

1,500 

32,800 

.585 

Idaho 

2 
320 

2 

.58 

200 
10,815 

100 

Illinois 

245 

67,49.5 

260,075 

1.5,429 

Indiana 

.Tti9 

476 

l.>4,762    H2 

10,425 

551,636 

8.5,824 

Iowa 

213 

148 

29,810'  6;^ 

8,:i>5 

211,323 

10,401 

Kansas 

822 

128)4 

33,200,181 

20,280 

188,770 

13,768 

Kentucky... 

18 

U 

2,400     1 

10 

4,700 

567 

Maryland... 

57 

55 

14,800'... 

11.3,789 

4,786 

Michigan... 

188 

93 

27,405:  44 

5,515 

133,250 

5,201 

Minnesota.. 

8.3 

23 

4,975    12 

1,450 

23,:375 

803 

Mis.souri.... 

10.3 

45>^ 

14,1.50,  53 

5,325 

47,825 

4,.361 

Nebraska  . .. 

147 

75 

16,775    6.5 

5,085 

84,950 

5,673 

New  York... 

85 

23 

5,975    12 

1.015 

84,6.50 

9.5:3 

Ohio 

745 
18 

692 

8 

20.5,755    .34 
2.100      5 

5,295 
675 

1,198,870 
11,100 

47,678 

Oregon 

493 

Pennsylv'a  . 

o26 

467 

147,0.36 

oi 

.5,110 

1,086,1:3.5 

33,951 

S.  Dakota.. . . 

27 

7 

1,175 

18 

1,225 

4,150 

493 

Tennessee... 

27 

18 

.5,600 

9 

1,30.5 

13.985 

1,141 

Virginia 

71 

66 

11,.500 

3 

,375 

6.5,940 

5,;306 

Washington 

18 

13 

3,400 

0 

7(K) 

22,000 

494 

\V.  Virginia. 

259 

175 

54,170 

79 

7,765 

140,«>15 

12.242 

Wisconsin  .. 

47 

45 

8,850 

2 

100 

39.275 

1,687 

Total .... 

3,731 

2,837 

816.458 

780 

93,0a5 

S4,292,&13 

202,474 

SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 

L    Church  Originated 1766-1800 

2.  First    Known   Sunday-School,   near   Corydon, 

Indiana 1820 

3.  First    Sunday-School    in    Otterbein's    Church, 

Baltimore,  Maryland 1827 

4.  First  Sunday-School  Song  Book,  Words  Only  ..  1842 


80  HISTORICAL  TABLES. 

5.  First  Mention  of  "Sabbath-School"  in  Book  of 

Discipline 1849 

6.  First  Children's  Paper  Published 1854 

7.  First  Organization  of  Sunday-School  Board  of 

Managers 1865 

8.  First    Notes  on    International    Sunday-School 

Lessons,  at  Commencement  of  System,  Jan- 
uary   1873 

9.  First  Sunday-School  Song  Book  with  Music 1873 

10.  First  Sunday-School  Library  Published 1874 

11.  First  Sunday-School  Normal  Class,  at  Gallon, 

Ohio 1876 

12.  First  Sunday-School  Normal  Institute,  Chau- 

tauqua Method,  Arcanum,  Ohio,  October 1877 

13.  First  Children's  Day,  July  4 1880 

14.  First  Sunday-School  Assembly,  Lisbon,  Iowa, 

August 1880 

15.  Organization  of  Home  Reading  Circle 1881 

16.  Organization  of  Bible  Normal  L'nion,  October  19.  1886 

17.  Adoption  of  Plan  of  Annual  Examination  on 

International  Sunday-School  Lessons,  April.  1890 

18.  General    Movement   Toward    Introduction   of 

Home  Department  in  Sunday-School,  Sep- 
tember 14 1891 

STATISTICAL. 
Number  in  Sunday -Schools— 

1865 78,099   1885 194,758 

1870 128,842   1890 245,447 

1875 160,900   1895 286,428 

1880 185,960   1896 290,861 

Chautauqua  Normal  Union,  1874-1884 500 

Assembly  Normal  L^nion,  January  1,  1884,-Octo- 

ber  19,  1886 524 

Bible  Normal  LTnion,  October  19,  1886,-April  24, 

1893 3,624 


HISTORICAL  TABLES.  81 

MEMBERS  OF  CHURCHES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

(.^ranged  from  the  Census  of  1890.) 

Adventists 57,619 

Baptists,  Freewill •     87,898 

Baptists,  Regutar  — Colored 1,362,140 

Baptists,  Regular— Nortli 800,02-5 

Baptists,  Regular— South 1,276,491 

Baptists— 9  other  bodies 166,780 

3,693,.334 

Christians 90,718 

Congregationalists 512,771 

Disciples  of  Christ 641,a51 

Dunkards  (4  bodies) 73,795 

Evangelical  Association 133,313 

Friends  (4  bodies) 107,208 

Oernian  Evangelical  Synod  of  North 

America 187,432 

Lutheran— General  Council 324,846 

Lutheran  — General  Synod 164,ft40 

Lutheran  —  Synodical  Conference...  3.57,153 

Lutheran  —  L'nited  Norwegian 119,972 

Lut  heran — 13  other  bodies 240,604 

1,207,215 

Mennonite  ( 13  bodies ) 41,541 

Methodist  — African  M.  E 4.52,725 

Met  hodist  —  African  M.  E.  Zion 349,788 

Methodist  —  Episcopal 2,240,354 

Met  hodist  —  Episcopal,  Sout  h 1,209,976 

Methodist  —  Protestant 141,989 

Methodist— Other  forms,  embracing 
12  bodies 194,452 

4,589,284 

Mormons  (2bodies) 166,125 

Presbyterian,  Cumberland 164,940 

Presbyterian  in  United  States  (South)      179,721 
Presbyterian    in    United   States   of 

America 788,224 

Presbyterian,  United 94,402 

Presbyterian  —  8  other  bodies 51,528 

1,278,815 

6 


82  HISTORICAIv  TABLES. 

Protestant  Episcopal : 

Reformed  Church  in  America  (Dutch) 
Reformed  Church  in  United  States.. 

Unitarians 

United  Brethren  in  Christ 

Universalists 

Other  Denominations  (37  in  number) 

Total 

Jews,  Orthodox 57,597 

Jews,  Reformed 72,899 

Catholic,  Roman 6,250,045 

Catholic—  Other  Divisions 26,454 

Total  Church  Membership 


632,05'c 
92,970 

204,018 
67,749 

202,474 
49,194 

252,402 

14,181,085 

130,496 

6,276,499 
20,588,077 


Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign 
Missionary'  Society 

OF    THE 

UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST. 


Organized  in  1855. 


Bev.  W.  M.  Bell,  D.D., 

Corresponding  Secretary,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Key.  William  ISIcKee,  D.D., 

Treasurer,  Dayton,  Ohio. 


This  Society  supports  missions  in  Africa,  Ger- 
many, Canada,  and  various  parts  of  the  United 

States. 

Annual  reports  in  the  Search  Light,  the 
monthly  publication  of  the  Society,  are  issued 
by  the  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  These  reports 
contain  also  the  proceedings  of  the  annual 
meetings  of  the  Board,  and  may  be  obtained  by 
application  to  either  of  these  officers. 

Persons  disposed  to  make  donations  to  this 
Society  by  will,  are  requested  to  observe  the 
following  form: 

FORM  OF  BEQUEST. 

I  give  and  bequeath  unto  the  Home^  J^x?^Vh^'  ''^^S 
Forfign  Missionary  Society  of  the  United  Brethren  m 
Christ,  organized  by  the  General  Conference  of  said 

Church.  May  20,  1&53,  the  sum  of •■••.•••••  ^^^\t  k- 

and  the  receipt  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Society  shall  be 
a  sufficient  discharge  thereof  to  my  executors. 

Name 

1 


The  Church-Erection  Society 


UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST. 


Organized  in  1872. 


Rev.  W.  M.  Weekley, 

Corresponding  Secretary,  Daytok,  Ohio. 

Rev.  William  McKee,  D.D., 

Treasurer,  Dayton,  Ohio. 


The  object  of  this  Society  is  to  aid  in  the 
erection  of  church-houses  in  places  where  it 
would  be  very  difficult  to  build  without  such 
assistance.  Money  is  loaned  on  good  security, 
with  interest,  to  such  churches  as  receive  the 
approval  of  the  Board,  the  money  to  be  returned 
within  from  two  to  five  years. 

Funds  are  secured  by  the  regular  contributions 
of  the  Church,  and  by  special  donations.   Special 
gifts  and  bequests  are  earnestly  solicited. 
Address 

Rev.  W.  M.  Weekley, 
Corresponding  Secretary,  Dayton,  Ohio. 


The  Woman's  Missionary  Association 

OF  THK 

UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST. 

Organized  in  1875. 
This  Association  at  present  oonducts  mipsions  in 
Africa  and  China,  and  among  the  Chinese  on  the 
Pacific  Coast.  Its  organization  iiu  hides  local  W  oman  s 
Missionary  Societies,  Young  Ladies'  Bands,  and  Chil- 
dren's Bands.  It  publishes  a  montiily  periodical -the 
Woman's  Evnnuel,  edite.l  by  Mrs.  L.  K.  ^^^'1  ^r,  M.A.  with 
Mrs.  L.  K.  Harford  as  editorial  correspondent.  Price,  50 
cents  per  annum. 

TRUSTEES  AND  OFFICERS. 

Mrs.  L.  K.  Miller,  President,  Dayton,  Ohio;  Mrs.  L.  R. 
Harford,  First  Vice-President,  Omaha,  ^^e'^ra^ka;  Mrs. 
Benjamin  Marot,  Second  Vice-President,  pay  ton,  Ohio 
Airs  Lida  M.  West,  Third  Vice-President  Smithv  lie. 
Ohio-  Mrs.  B.  F.  Witt,  Corresponding  Secretary,  Dayton, 
Ohio  J^Irs.  L.  O.  >Iiller,  Recording  SetTetary  Dayton, 
Ohio-  Mrs.  D.  L.  Kike,  Treasurer,  Dayton,  Ohio,  Mrs. 
G  A.  Funkhouser,  Dayton.  Ohio;  Miss  Ellen  Groenen- 
dyke,  New  Decatur,  Alabama. 

MISSIONARIES. 
Africa. 
Rev  I  N  Cain.'  ri<?v.  L.  A.  McGrew. 

Mrs' Atnrv  Mutch  Cain.'         Mrs.  Clara  McGrew. 
Mi;sMSttaHatfield°M.D.'  Miss  Mary  C.  Archer,  M.D. 
Mrs  Lida  M   West.'  Miss  Minnie  Eaton. 

Miss  Ella  Sciienck.i  Miss  Florence  Cronise. 

Miss  Ellen  Groenendyke.'  v 

China. 
Miss  Australia  Patterson.      Miss  Regina  M- Biglei%  M.D. 
Miss  S.  Lovina  Halverson,     H.  K.  Shumaker,  M.  D.' 
j^j  pi  Mr.  E.  B.  \\  ard.' 

Miss  Bessie  Schoolcraft.' 
Portland  Chinese  Mission. 
Mrs.  M.  E.  Henkle.  Rev.  Moy  Ling. 

Portland  Church. 
Rev.  E.  E.  Fix. 

FORM  OF  BEQUEST. 
I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  the  Woman's  Mission- 
ary Association  of  the  United  Bret  hren  in  Christ  tlie sum 

of" to  be  applied  to  the  PurP^^es  set  forth  in  the 

Articles  of  Incorporation  adopted  MarcH  28,  ibsi. 

N^&mG  ••••  ••••••  •••••• 

Prompt  notice  of  a"lV  bequests  should  be  sent  to  the 
Corresponding  Secretary. 

'In  America. 


General  Sabbath-School  Board 

OF  THE 

UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST. 


C'OL.   R.   COWDEX,   LiT.D., 

Corresponding  Secretary,  Daytok,  Ohio. 

Rev.  E.  W.  Bowers, 

Treasurer,  Middletowx,  Ohio. 


The  object  of  this  organization  is  to  promote 
the  cause  of  Sabbath-schools  by  assisting  indi- 
gent schools,  by  educating  teachers,  and  by  in- 
troducing the  best  methods  of  organization  and 
work.  The  Board  also  conducts  the  Bible  Nor- 
mal Union  and  the  Home  Reading  Circle. 

the  bible  normal  union 

is  organized  on  a  plan  similar  to  the  Chautauqua 
Assembly  Normal  Union,  and  awards  diplomas 
on  completion  of  its  course  of  study. 

the  home  reading  circle 

aims  to  promote  intelligence  by  organized  read- 
ing and  study  in  the  home. 

children's  day 

is  a  day  —  the  first  Sunday  in  June  —  set  apart 
for  special  children's  services.  It  is  requested 
that  the  collections  taken  on  this  day  be  for- 
warded to  the  Treasurer  of  this  Board  for  use 
in  assisting  needy  schools. 

For  full  particulars  concerning  the  Bible  Nor- 
mal Union,   Home  Reading  Circle,   and  Chil- 
dren's Day,  and  for  general  information,  apply  to 
Col.  R.  Cowden, 
Corresponding  Secretary,  Dayton,  Ohio. 
4 


General   Board  of  Education 


UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST. 


Organized  in  isdu 


Rev.  S.  D.  Faust,  D.D., 

Corresponding  Secretary,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Rev.  G.  a.  Funkhousek,  D.D., 

Treasurer,  Dayton,  Ohio. 


The  object  of  this  Board  is  to  encourage  edu- 
cation iu  the  Church,  by  the  pubhcatiou  of 
tracts,  etc.;  to  collect  and  publish  the  educa- 
tional statistics  and  report  the  condition  of  the 
educational  institutions  of  the  Church ;  to  make 
reconimendutions  to  their  managers;  to  har- 
monize courses  of  study;  to  prevent  the  un- 
necessary multiplication  of  schools;  and  to 
secure  funds  and  loan  them  without  interest, 
to  assist  in  the  education  of  indigent  young 
])ersons  who  are  preparing  for  ministerial  or 
missionary  work  in  the  Church.  Special  atten- 
tion is  invited  to  the  last  object  —  the  collection 
of  an  Educational  Beneficiary  Fund. 

The  Treasurer  will  be  pleased  to  receive  special 
gifts  and  bequests  for  tiiis  fund. 

For  special  information,  apply  to  the  Secre- 
tary. 

5 


Union  Biblical  Seminary, 

DAYTON,  OHIO. 


Founded  in  1S71. 


COURSE  OF  STUDY. 

The  course  of  study  embraces  three  years, 
and  is  similar  to  that  of  other  theological  insti- 
tutions. Special  attention  is  given  to  Sunday- 
school  normal  work. 


FACULTY. 

Rev.  G.  A.  Funkhouser,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Senior 
Professor,  Cherrj^  Professor  of  Greek  Exegesis 
and  Homiletics. 

Rev.  J.  P.  Landis,  D.D.,  Ph.D.,  Professor  of 
Old  Testament  Theology  and  Exegesis. 

Rev.  A.  W.  Drury,  D.D.,  Professor  of  System- 
atic Theology. 

Rev.  S.  D.  Faust,  D.D.,  Professor  of  Church 
History. 


GENERAL  MANAGER. 

Rev.  W.  J.  Shuey,  Daj^ton,  Ohio,  to  whom  let- 
ters of  inquiry  may  be  addressed.     Bequests  and 
donations  to  the  Endowment  Fund  or  Contin- 
j^jent  Fund  are  solicited. 
6 


HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 

OK   THE 

UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST. 


Bishop  E.  ]'..  Kki'hakt,  D.D.,  LL.D., 

President,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Rkv.  a.  AV.  Druky,  D.D., 

Corresponding  Secretary,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

W.  A.  Shuey,  A.m., 

Librarian,  Dayton,  Ohio. 


This  Historical  Society  M-as  organized  and 
incorporated  in  1885,  and  has  been  recognized 
aud  approved  by  the  General  Conference  of  the 
Chin'ch.  It  is  iinder  the  control  of  a  Board  of 
Managers,  elected  annually  by  the  Society.  Its 
office,  library,  and  museum  are  located  in  the 
Publishing  House,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Any  member  of  the  Church  may  become  a 
member,  upon  approval  of  the  Board  of  ]Man- 
agers,  by  the  payment  of  an  initiation  fee  of  one 
dollar,  and  one  dollar  annually  thereafter. 

The  object  is  "  to  collect  and  preserve  informa- 
tion in  connection  with  the  rise  and  progress  of 
the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ; 
also,  objects  of  curiosity  aud  interest  in  the  form 
of  manuscripts,  books,  pamphlets,  medals,  por- 
traits, etc." 

The  Society  already  possesses  a  valuable  col- 
lection of  books,  pamphlets,  records,  manuscripts, 
letters,  pictures,  and  relics.  Persons  having 
knowledge  of  any  such  articles  of  value  and 
interest  to  the  Church  will  please  communicate 
with  the  Secretary.  Articles  may  be  donated  or 
cnly  deposited  for  safe  keeping. 


Young  People's  Christian 
Union 

OF  THE 

UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST. 


Prof.  J.  P.  Landis,  D.D.,  Ph.D., 

President,  Dayton,  Ohio. 
Rev.  H.  F.  Shupe, 

Corresponding  Secretary,  Dayton,  Ohio. 


The  object  of  this  Union  is  to  unite  all  the 
young  people's  Christian  societies  of  the  denom- 
ination into  a  working  baud  for  "mutual  help- 
fulness, for  stimulating  Church  loyalty  and  an 
intelligent  interest  in  the  various  Church  enter- 
prises." Its  motto  is,  "For  the  glory  of  God 
and  the  salvation  of  men."  Its  work  is  done 
enthusiastically  by  the  young  people,  and  their 
life  has  a  large  influence  in  the  Church. 

^Membership  in  the  Union  is  secured  by  the 
adoption  of  a  single  clause  as  a  part  of  the"  con- 
stitution of  the  local  society,  and  the  payment 
of  the  annual  fee  to  the  Treasurer  through  the 
Conference  Secretaiy.  "When  the  Conference  is 
not  organized,  the  fee  is  to  be  paid  directly  to 
the  Treasurer. 

The  coxventioxs  are  held  biennially,  begin- 
ning June,  1890.  The  direction  of  the  work  is 
in  the  hands  of  the  Executive  Council. 

YouxG  People's  Day  is  the  first  Sunday 
in  May  of  each  year.  Special  programs  are 
arranged. 

For  special  information,  read  the  Watchword^ 
or  write  to  the  Secretary  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

*8  • 


THE 

RELIGIOUS  TELESCOPE, 


'The  Weekly  Official  Paper 


UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST. 


Every  member  of  the  United  Bretlireu  Church 
should  be  a  regular  reader  of  this  paper.  Ouly 
by  reading  it  constantly  can  any  one  obtain  such 
knowledge  of  the  Church,  and  all  its  interests,  as 
every  member  should  possess.  But  it  not  only 
contains  important  Church  news ;  it  also  presents 
each  week  a  large  variety  of  general  religious, 
literary,  and  secular  reading,  adapted  to  all  ages. 
It  is  now  in  its  second  half-century  of  existence, 
and  in  matter  and  form  is  abreast  with  the 
times.  If  you  are  not  a  subscriber,  send  for  it 
AT  ONCE,  and  do  not  deprive  yourself  and  your 
family  of  its  elevating  influence  for  another 
week.  You  may  give  your  subscription  to  your 
pastor,  or  send  it  direct  to  the  publisher.  It  is  a 
32-page  paper,  well  printed,  and  handsome  in 
appearance.  Terms,  $2.00  per  year,  in  advance ; 
in  clubs  of  five  or  more,  $1.75;  in  clubs  of  ten  or 
more,  $1.50,  cash  in  advance.        Address 

Rev.  W.  R.  Funk, 

Dayton,  Ohio. 


The  Woman's  Evangel. 

A  monthly  journal  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  Asso- 
ciation of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  Devoted  to  the 
interests  of  missionary  and  Christian  work.  Every 
woman  in  the  Church  should  read  it.  i?afes,  per  annum, 
50  cents  in  advance.    Address 

Mrs.  L.  K.  Miller,  Dayton,  Ohio. 


Froehliche  Botschafter. 

A  weekly  paper  in  the  German  language.  Published 
in  the  interest  of  the  German  members  of  the  Church. 
Terms,  SI. 75  per  year,  cash  in  advance.    Address 

Rev.  \V.  R.  Fuxk,  Dayton,  Ohio. 


The  Watchword. 

A  weekly  journal  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the 
Young  People's  Christian  Union.  It  should  be  read  by 
all  the  young  people  of  the  Church.  Eight  quarto  pages. 
Price,  $1.0()  per  annum,  cash  in  advance.    Address 

Rev.  W.  R.  Funk,  Dayton,  Ohio. 


The  Search  Light. 

A  monthly  journal  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  the 
Church.    Full  of   information    regarding  the  mission 
work  in  all  lands.    Price,  50  cents  per  annum.    Address 
Rev.  W.  M.  Bell,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

The  Quarterly  Review 

Of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  is  a  quarterly  maga- 
zine of  high  character,  with  able  articles  and  well-edited 
departments.    Pnce,  S1.50  per  year.    Address 

Rev.  G.  M.  Mathews,  Dayton,  Ohio. 
10 


Sunday-School  Periodicals. 

All  Sundaj'-school  workers  are  requ«^sted  to  examine 
our  line  of  SrNi)AY-Scno<jL  Pkriookals.  which  em- 
brace a  Ma-azine  for  Teachers,  and  Lesson  Helps  and 
Papers  for  schools  of  various  ages. 

Our  Bible  Teacher. 
A  Monthly  Teachers'  Magazine,  containing  extensive 
and  valuable  comments  upon  the  International  Benes 
of  Lessons,  and,  in  addition,  exercises  for  the  bhick- 
board,  lesson  dictionary,  map,  opening  exercises  Bible 
normal  outlines,  and  miscellaneous  editorial  and  othei 
contributions.  It  is  ably  edited  and  is  issued  in  hand- 
some stvle,  with  good  type  and  first-class  paper.  Single 
cSpy,  per  annumfou  cents.  Club  Bates:  f'lve  copies  or 
more,  to  one  address,  50  cents  per  copy,  per  annum. 
Send  for  sample. 

Our  Bible-Lesson  Quarterly. 
For  advanced  scholars.    Thirty-two  pages.    Issued  on 
the  first  of  January,  April,  July,  and  October  of  each 
year.    This  Quarterly  contains  the    lessons    for  three 
months,  in  a  neat  cover,  and,  when  space  will  allow 
several  pages  of  original  music,  prepared  expresslj   for 
this  Quarterly.    To  make  all  the  lessons  available  to 
classes,  subscriptions  must  be  sent  in  before  the  begin- 
ning of  the  calendar  quarters,  January  1,  April  L  J"l> 
1  and  October  1.    Not  less  than  five  copies  should  »)e 
ordered  at   one   time.     Price,  12   cents    per   copy,  per 
annum;  at  the  same  rate  for  three,  six,  or  nine  months. 
Our  Intermediate  Bible-Lesson  Quarterly. 
For  intermediate  sdiolars.     Issued  on  the  first  of  .Jan- 
uary   April,  July,  and  October  of  each  year.    Sixteen 
pages,  wU  ha  less^on  on  each  page.    It  has  a  neat  cover 
Snd  may  be  severed  by  drawing  a  knife  through  the 
backhand  be  distributed  in  leaves  every  two  vv^eeks  if 
preferred.    No  orders  for  less  than  10  copies  will  be  re- 
ceived.   Subscriptions  must  begin  on  the  first  of  Janu- 
ary, April,  J  ul  v,  or  October.    Price,  G.cents  per  copy,  per 
annum;  at  the  same  rate  for  three,  six,  or  nine  months. 
In  ordering,  the  word  Intermediate  must  be  given. 
Children's  Friend  and  ChUdren's  Visitor. 
Both  Sunday-school  papers  are  each  Pij'^l'^l'^d  tjf  "I'^; 
six  times  a  vear-the  Children's  Fn^»(/ being  dated  on 
the  first  and'fifteenth,  and  the  Children's  Visitor  on  the 
l?ghth  and  twenty-second  of  each  inonth,  with  extra 
niunbers  when  there  are    five   ^.undaj^s.^^  The^seJ^^o 
papers  are  designed  to  si 
every  Sabbath  in  the  yeat 
schools.    The  price  for  si    _ 
cents.    In  clubs,  20  cents  per  copy,  per  annum. 
11 


supply  schools  with  papers  for 
ar,  a  want  felt  in  most  Sabbath 
single  copies,  per  annum,  is  2» 


LESSONS  FOR  THE  LITTLE  ONES. 

A  bright  and  beautifully  illustrated  paper,  adapted  to 
the  wants  of  children  from  one  year  old  to  ten.  The 
paper  contains  four  small  pages,  printed  on  new  tj^pe, 
and  a  number  is  Issued  for  every  iSabbath  in  the  year. 
Each  number  contains  a  simple  statement  of  the  Hun- 
day-school  lesson  for  the  week  for  wJiich  it  is  issued. 
Price,  in  clubs,  16  cents  per  copy,  per  annum. 

THE  JUGEND  PILGER. 

A  semimonthly  German  Sabbath-school  paper;  same 
size  as  the  Children's  Friend.  Terms,  for  single  copies  or 
in  clubs,  same  as  Children's  Friend. 

OUR  BIBLE-LESSON  PICTURES 

ON   THE  INTERNATIONAL  LESSONS. 

For  the  Home  and  Primary  Classes  of  the  Sunday- 
School;  a  Quarterly  I^eaf  Cluster  of  Large  Colored  Pic- 
tures, illustrating  each  Sunday-School  Lesson.  Each 
cluster  contains  twelve  sheets,  26x  36  inches  in  size,  the 
whole  mounted  on  a  rod  and  suspended  by  a  cord,  and 
suitable  for  hanging  in  the  home  or  school-room.  Each 
sheet  contains  the  title  and  Golden  Text  of  one  Sunday- 
school  lesson,  with  a  large  colored  picture  illustrating 
the  incident  or  truth  of  that  lesson.  With  each  set  is 
supplied  the  Superintendent,  a  valuable  quarterly  expo- 
sition of  the  lessons.    Sent  postpaid  at  Sl.OO  per  quarter. 

Send  for  sample  pages. 

LITTLE  PICTURES  FOR  OUR  BIBLE-LESSONS. 

Lithograph  Picture  Cards,  2%s.A  inches.  Uniform 
with  our  Bible-Lesson  Pictures.  Under  the  pictures  are 
printed  the  title  of  the  lesson  and  the  Golden  Text,  and 
on  the  reverse  side  questions  and  answers  on  the  lesson. 
These  pictures  are  printed  in  beautiful  colors,  illustrat- 
ing the  central  thought  of  the  lesson.  They  are  espe- 
cially adapted  to  Primary  and  Intermediate  classes. 
Prices:  S  cents  for  a  set  of  13  cards  (one  for  each  Sunday 
in  the  quarter);  12  cents  per  year,  52  cards. 

All  of  the  above  publications  are  carefully  edited, 
with  the  view  of  obtaining  the  best  results  in  theChris- 
tian  training  of  the  young.  Unsectarian  in  character, 
they  areadapted  to  the  wants  of  all  Sunday-schools;  but 
as  they  are  prepared  by  our  own  Church,  and  are  equal 
to  any  and  superior  to  many  similar  publications,  they 
deserve  the  full  patronage  of  our  own  people,  and  should 
uyihesitatingly  he  used  in  evei-y  United  Brethren  Sabbath- 
school.  Sample  copies  of  all  these  publications  will  be 
forwarded  to  any  address  upon  application.    Address 

Rev.  W.  R  Funk,  Publisher, 
United  Brethren  Publishing  House,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

12 


Book  Department, 

United  Brethren 
Publishing  House. 


STANDARD    AVORKS 

Of  History,  Biography,  Science, 

Art,  Theology,  Philosophy, 

And  General  Literature, 

Supplied  at  J^ne.st  Prices. 


School  and  College  Text-Books, 

Bibles,  Hymn  Books,  and  Sunday- 
School  Supplies  a  Specialty. 


We  supply  promptly  all  Books  regularly  in 
the  trade,  both  European  and  American. 

Special  attention  given  to  New  Books  in  every 
Department  of  Literature. 


Agents  Wanted  for  Subscription  Books. 


Classified  Catalogues  sent  free  to  any  address. 
Correspondence  respectfully  solicited. 

Address         Rev.  W.  R.  Funk, 

tnited  Brethren  Publishing  House,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

13 


Sunday-School  Supplies. 


We  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  all  Sunday- 
school  workers  to  our  facilities  for  supplying  all 
wants  of  Sunday-schools  at  reasonable  prices. 
In  addition  to  our  line  of  periodicals,  our  stock 
embraces: 

Sunday-School  Libraries. 

We  carry  an  immense  stock  of  Sunday-school 
library  books,  comprising  not  only  books  in 
complete  sets,  put  up  in  boxes,  but  also  select 
and  miscellaneous  books  in  various  departments 
of  literature,  adapted  to  all  ages  and  tastes. 
These  books  are  offered  at  the  most  favorable 
terms. 

Books  on  Ch^ganizing  and  Conduct- 
ing Sunday-Schools ;  Blank  Minute^ 
Record^  and  Class  Books;  Bibles 
and  Testaments ;  Helps  for  Super- 
intendents  and  Teachers;  Sabbath- 
School  Music  Books ;  Sabbath- School 
Tickets  and  Cards;  Blackboards 
and  Maps;  Chautauqua  Normal 
Outline  and  Text-books;  Anything 
else  you  may  need. 


For  the  convenience  of  our  customers,  we 
have  prepared  (catalogues  of  our  Sunday- 
School  Supplies,  which  we  will  send  free  of 
charge  to  any  address.  Correspondence  is  solic- 
ited. Address 

Rev.  W.  R.  Funk, 

Dayton,  Ohio. 
14 


International  Bibles^ 


Text,  Reference,  and  Teachers'  Editions. 

Plain,  Self-Pronocncinc;,  and  Sklf- 

explanatory  blblp^s. 


The  "Interuatioiial"  line  of  Bibles  and  Testa- 
ments is  new,  and  in  the  following  particulars  is 
superior  to  all  others: 

The  utmost  care  is  exercised  in  the  selection 
of  material  and  in  the  manufacture  of  every 
book.  The  type  used  in  all  the  Bibles  is  very 
plain  and  bold,  giving  an  unusually  clear  and 
readable  page.  The  references  are  arranged  to 
economize  space,  and  at  the  same  time  are  suffi- 
ciently full  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the 
reader;  consequently  the  International  Bibles 
are  smaller  and  more  convenient  to  handle  and 
carry  than  any  others.  New  "Aids"  have  been 
prepared  for  this  series  by  the  most  eminent  di- 
vines of  America  and  Great  Britain,  and  a  new 
set  of  maps,  or  atlas,  of  l*alestine  has  lieeu  made 
by  Major  Condor,  of  the  "Palestine  Exploration 
Society,"  especially  for  the  International  Bible. 
A  very  full  and  complete  line  of  German  Refer- 
ence Bibles  and  German  Teachers'  Bibles  is  also 
included.  Every  Bible  in  the  entire  series  has 
the  new  maps.  The  American  Editions  have 
the  new  "Word  Book,"  which  is  acknowledged 
to  be  the  most  convenient  Bible  assistant  yet 
published.  And  yet  with  all  these  advantages, 
the  prices  have  been  reduced  to  a  very  low  limit. 

Send  for  catalogue.     Address 

Rev.  W.  R.  Funk, 

Dayton,  Ohio. 

7  15 


The  History  of  the  Church 

OK    THE 

United  Brethren  in 
Christ. 

By  DANIEL  BERGER,  D.D. 

This  New  History  has  been  prepared  and  published 
nnder  the  direction  of  the  General  Conference,  and  is 
authentic  in  every  way.  The  author  has  had  access  to 
all  existing  documents  and  publications,  and  has  cov- 
ered the  topics  thoroughly.  His  years  of  experience  as 
a  writer  have  been  valuable  in  the  preparation  of  this 
new  history. 

THE  CONTENTS  INCLUDE: 

PART  I.  General  History,  from  the  beginning  in  the 
last  century  to  tbe  present  time,  showing  clearly  and 
fully  the  origin  and  progress  of  the  Church. 

PART  II.  The  Departments  of  Churcli  Work,  includ- 
ing Publishing  House,  Missionary  Society,  Church- 
Erection  Society,  Woman's  Missionary  Association, 
Educational  Institutions.  Board  of  Education,  General 
Sunday-School  Board,  Young  People's  Christian  Union, 
Board  of  Trustees,  and  Historical  Society. 

PART  III.  The  Annual  Conferences,  giving  a  brief 
outline  of  each  of  the  conferences  of  the  Church. 

PART  IV.  Historical  and  Statistical  Tables,  with  Ap- 
pendix and  Index. 

Biographical  sketches  of  bishops  and  others  are  given. 

The  book  is  a  handsome  octavo  volume  of  about  700 
pages,  well  printed  on  fine  paper,  and  tastefully  bound 
in  strong  cloth. 

The  Illustrations  are  numerous  and  carefully  chosen. 
They  include  portraits  of  bishops  and  other  men  prom- 
inent in  the  history  of  the  Church,  and  pictures  of  lead- 
ing colleges  and  other  historic  buildings  and  places. 

This  New  History  should  be  in  every  United  Brethren 
family  for  use  of  all  its  members.  They  will  be  more 
earnest  and  enthusiastic  when  they  have  read  what  the 
Church  has  done. 

Frice:    Postpaid,  $3.00.    Usual  prices  to  ministers. 
Address 

Rev.  W.  R.  Funk, 

Dayton,  Ohio. 
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United  Brethren  Biography 
and  History. 

OttPrbein  Rev.  Philip  WiUiam.  F«.un(lpr  of  the 
rhurTof  the  United  Brethren  in  «;»'nsl  By 
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Glossbrenner,  J.  J..  D.D  Bish^3  of  the^  United 
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1)  n  With  an  appendix  containing  a  numoer  oi 
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Music  for  Sunday  Schools  and 
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Riches  of  Grace.  Bj'  E.  S.  Lorenz,  Chas.  H.  Gabriel, 
\V.  A.  Ogden,  J.  H.  Tenney,  Adam  Geibel,  and  Geo.  E. 
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I 


